Whew! Now *that's* The Way to Do Thanksgiving
This may have been the best Thanksgiving week *ever*. Having Geoff’s family down was entirely perfect. And they brought his 24 year old sister who almost killed me – I nearly laughed myself into asphyxiation Good heavens that girl is funny. I have the best – the absolute best – in laws in the entire world — although I think Jess might almost have me tied because her husband’s family is pretty incredible, too. It makes me sad that our mom never got to meet jess’s excellent husband, but she must be so pleased and thankful from heaven. She prayed hard for her daughters’ husbands and God truly answered her prayers. What lucky girls we are. This year, Thanksgiving was perfect — it was entirely non stressful, and Geoff bar-B-qued our turkey with wood chips and it was the best turkey we ever had. We had our annual Pinochle Punch Down, and this year was even better because A) Ryann was old enough to play and B) Ryann wins at any and all card game she plays and C) Ryann was on my team for the first two games. It was grand. However, it was not so grand when she betrayed us and went to play on the Dad / Grampa team. We got punched. We also got to show up and harass Coie at work on Friday (all ten of us tromped thru the store and mobbed her). And guess what? holy cow, just guess…. My mom in law brought me my Christmas present early. A NEW KITCHEN AID – it is gorgeous and shiny and blue. I’m going to use it today to make bread. I have been dying for a Kitchen Aid for the last four years. I am beside myself. They left late Saturday afternoon. I love them so much; they are just so fun and so warm and genuine. Sunday was also an unqualified event. We went to church and saw a very dear family of redheads who were staying in That night, we topped everything off by going to our church small group Christmas party. I honestly laughed myself silly. Have you guys ever played the White Elephant Gift Exchange? Where you pick a gift and then the next person has the option to steal your gift or pick another? Oh my heavens, the whole night was just impossibly funny. Me and Coie almost got stuck with a box full of empty plastic Easter eggs. We ended up with two huge frames with ‘not too bad’ paintings in them. We’re going to ditch the originals and pick up some cool prints. The frames are actually really nice — they are nearly as big as I am. I hope your Thanksgiving week was also fun and relaxing. Oh, and guess what? We also got a Christmas tree — the day before Thanksgiving. That is, without a doubt, the earliest we have ever gotten a Christmas tree in the history of our existence. I’m thinking there’s no way it’s going to hold out until the 25th. See? You can almost see it here, hiding behind us. What’s the point of taking a Christmas picture in front of a Christmas tree if your big family blocks the whole thing?
I’ve pretty much given up hope on ever getting a decent family picture. Without fail, half of us always looks ridiculous. Sadly, this was the best picture in the litter. I look like I’m about to spank somebody (which I was) Emmiko (behind me, far right) looks like a muderous yet maniacally happy chinese woman and ryann just looks completely nothing like herself. Good grief. We’d probably have better luck if we took eight separate picture and then photoshopped them together. I’ll have to remember that the next time we think about doing a group picture. |
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November 26th, 2007 - Posted in Uncategorized | | 0 Comments No Responses to ' Whew! Now *that's* The Way to Do Thanksgiving 'Leave a reply |
on November 26th, 2007 at 10:04 am
From Shay
Hello My Dear Long Lost Friend!!!
I am so delighted that your Thanksgiving was oh so lovely!!!!! I think your family picture is stunning…how could the Igarashis be anything less than stunning!!!!!
We love you all and we STILL miss you all so much!
Shay
on November 26th, 2007 at 11:08 am
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Man, I am <i>so tired</i> of being stuck in the middle of the girls. *I'm* the oldest– *I* should be on the left. But I'm always stuck in the middle because I'm shorter than Ryann who's <i>5 stinkin' years</i> younger and 3 inches taller than me.
I'm going on strike.
-Coie
on November 26th, 2007 at 11:09 am
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All your kids are getting so big and grown up, Jen! Next time you'll have to sit in <i>their</i> laps.
Oooo… Christmas tree, harrassing Coie AND a new KitchenAid all in one weekend?! It sounds perfect!
Hope you come down gently from your holiday high. We finally have a day of sunshine so it'll be a blustery-bike-riding kind of midmorning for us. Lessons will start after lunch. (That's just what happens when you sleep in until 10am– sneaky kids waking up quietly and watching cartoons without fighting…)
Love,
Marshie
on November 26th, 2007 at 11:16 am
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Greetings!
I am super-ly glad that your Thanksgiving was so wonderful! 🙂 I cannot wait to see spiffy blue Kitchen Aid. We had a wonderful TG too. Is was blistering hot in the house, but I did not sweat even one drop, which was indeed a miracle. It was a festive and happy time…..being content is the most wonderful thing in the world. The one big bummer is that it has taken me 9 years to be happy at TG.
We though that the girl child had chicken pox, it turned out to be an allergic reaction to amoxicilion. Whew!
See ya!
on November 26th, 2007 at 11:37 am
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I think it's a very darling picture! You are too hard on yourself 😉
I kick myself for selling my KitchenAid a few years ago when I didn't have the counter space for it 😛 I know you'll love yours, what a nice gift!
Denise
aka /CuriousCat
on November 26th, 2007 at 12:08 pm
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Love the family picture! Ours is my avatar for now and my Christmas cards after a while. I may send you one. : )
How wonderful to get a nice new AND blue kitchen aid.
You are one very very blessed woman! I am so glad I know you.
Love you!
Maria
on November 26th, 2007 at 12:34 pm
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Jen,
It sounds like you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We also had a really nice time with my in laws. Then we visited my family for a little bit.
We put up our tree on Friday. It was fun.
I know what you mean about trying to get a good picture.
Ruth
on November 26th, 2007 at 1:49 pm
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Congrats on the Kitchen Aide! They are great. What color did you get? Glad you had a great Thanksgiving, and fun with family and friends. Yep, I've played the White Elephant Game–last time I got a litter box pooper scooper.
I completely understand about the family picture. We take tons of them, and hope to find one! I think you all look great—except for that skeptical, fretful look on your face!
Letitia
on November 26th, 2007 at 2:13 pm
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i love the pic! Only, you DO look like you're about to spank someone. I remember that look. But it doesn't hide the fact that you're still amazingly gorgeous!
and I laughed out loud when seeing Emmi's expression (and your description of her). NIce.SO glad you had a great thanksgiving- and you got a kitchen aid!! We were going to get one for you for Christmas.. drat. guess we'll have to think up something else! 🙂
love you
on November 26th, 2007 at 2:25 pm
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That sounds like a fantastic Thanksgiving!!!
(and that is so neat about your new mixer, too!)
I love the family photo – LOL! We just got back form Disney World and they have this 'photo pass' thing there where their professional photographers take pictures of your family (and they try to sell them to you for hideous prices…) Well, at the end of the week we went to see our pictures and (because we have 4 kids) they were AWFUL!
Someone always had their eyes closed, or was making a face, or looking away, etc.
I had to laugh though because they were all ready for the 'hard sell' until they actually SAW the photos and then they were like…."Um…okay…we have nice FRAMES if you would like any?….."
Yeah – an empty frame – the perfect souvenir…..LOL!
Happy (Belated) Thanksgiving!
Michelle
on November 26th, 2007 at 3:06 pm
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it looks great! sounds like a wonderful thanksgiving. as it should be. so you've already had your first christmas party and gotten your first exciting gift. you're starting it off right. it can only get better.
afamiliarpath.blogspot.com
on November 26th, 2007 at 3:35 pm
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I happened to ruin a perfect family photo this year. I don't believe I've ever seen a better photo of at LEAST 4 of my family….
then there was me….
AHHHHHH. Can you say double chin? double chin?
Emily
thelearningneverstops.blogspot.com
on November 26th, 2007 at 6:27 pm
Bread in the Kitchen
Congrats on the new Kitchen Aid! Just a warning from experience… NEVER have it mix a larger batch than the recipe the KITCHEN AID book gave. The motors burn out easily. I found out the hard way. Hope I can keep your mixer lasting longer than mine did.
on November 27th, 2007 at 2:12 am
Aww!
That sounds like such a *nice* Thanksgiving!! I am so happy for you. :+)
All that it would take to make my holidays would be a visit from you.
Miss you much!!
Kate
on November 27th, 2007 at 2:13 am
Oh…
And I have had my KitchenAid for over ten years with narry an issue. It is a workhorse if you use it wisely! I have made bread in it for upteen years. :+)
Love you!
Kate
on November 27th, 2007 at 8:32 am
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Oh I just love this picture!!! Do I get a Christmas card too!!!??? 🙂
Your Magazine subscription to start soon, let me know when you get the first one. It is my favorite magazine, I know your going to love it!!
Beautiful family!
on November 27th, 2007 at 8:55 am
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Ha ha now im weirded out!!! Are you tracking my every move on your blog? Hu?
I just went through your archives to find last years post on the Christmas topic I'm gonna share it on my blog if that's OK. I loved that post!
on November 27th, 2007 at 10:23 am
Just wanted to be helpful
If Jess still wants to stick with the original plan and buy you a Kitchen Aid for Christmas you can totally re-gift it to me. I won't be offended in the least. That sounds easiest for everyone, I think.
on November 27th, 2007 at 11:01 am
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It's good to hear others' great in-law stories. I just blogged about mine. I have to be in the running for the greatest too.
I really like your family pic, by the way.
on November 27th, 2007 at 11:14 am
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It is so neat to hear of your relationship to your in-laws. Very cool. I know my mother was much closer to her mother-in-law than she was to her own mother. I have five kids…I hope to develop a great relationship with all of my future daughter and son-in-laws.
Glad to hear you had such a great Thanksgiving!
Tori
on November 27th, 2007 at 12:31 pm
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Glad you had such a great Thanksgiving! And really not a horrible pic of you all! Our family pics …someone has their mouth open and eyes closed, shiny red glowing evil eyes, finger in mouth, pouty face…something is always going on! LOL
on November 27th, 2007 at 2:34 pm
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I think the photo is actually quite good! So glad you had such a nice holiday…mine was not so good, but I'll spare you the sad details.
Shiny blue kitchen aid, huh? Now that's something to be thankful for! Yahoo! Happy mixing!
on November 27th, 2007 at 2:53 pm
How fun!!
I think this is a great picture. So who were you "fixin" to spank??? They all look like perfect angels!!
Stephanie@inspired
on November 27th, 2007 at 3:53 pm
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I love the picture. Emmiko looks like she is about to get into trouble. I never have good family pictures either. Just a thing for some of us I suppose.
on November 27th, 2007 at 4:32 pm
What a beautiful family!
I think your picture is beautiful! Awesome family portrait!
on November 27th, 2007 at 6:16 pm
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my emails are STILL bouncing. Did you try to call me earlier? Check your HSB messages. love you!! jess
on November 27th, 2007 at 6:44 pm
Beautiful Family!
And your photo shows you all just bursting with personality! Can't beat that with a dull-looking photo.
Where did you find a blue Kitchen Aid? Mine is white–but goes nicely with my blue cupboards. I don't know what I would do without it now.
Blessings,
Karen
on November 27th, 2007 at 9:45 pm
Love your blog!
I miss your articles in TOS but I really love your blog! Sounds like your family has so much fun! I would rather have photos like yours than anything else……there is always a story (or several!) there and so much better than "fakey" looking ones! 🙂 Have a wonderful Christmas!
on November 28th, 2007 at 9:30 am
Happy Thanksgiving
Hey guys good to hear you had a great thanksgiving. Now that you have a new kitchen aide i won't feel guilty to have you make me some homemaid bread, now that you are not mixing by hand. I like seeing the picture of all you guys, The kids are getting too big, i need to come up and see ya soon.
Just wanted to say hi, and that i miss you guys.
on November 28th, 2007 at 10:10 am
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I am behind on checking on blogs….too much drama for a comment…..anyway, glad Susanna is here and everything is well. Congrats on your new Kitchen Aid!!! I also have the Cobalt blue one, large son bought for me a few Christmases ago…..you will LOVE it!!! For bread, for ANYTHING. I am addicted. In fact, I LOOK for recipes to use that call for 'mixing'. I just feel so….powerful and 'homey'. Enjoy!
Denise aka The Domestic Angel
on November 28th, 2007 at 12:19 pm
OK,Jen!
Tell me is your husband part Asian? Is that why the Asian jokes? Someone looks…
I was just curious. Great picture by the way.
Karen
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/testimony
on November 28th, 2007 at 12:50 pm
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yep Karen, we are a household of proud Ja'pansies. Geoff is half japanese from his father's side