Stuffed!

Thanksgiving was a huge success this year. Considering it was the first time we had to organize it on our own, I think we did alright. This morning we got to work on getting the turkey ready for roasting. We regret that we didn't document it with the camcorder because it was a hilarious adventure! It started when we tried wrestling the bird out of the bag-o-brine and into the roasting pan. It was 17 lbs! Eventually it made into the 500 degree oven. Not minutes after we closed the oven door, our house was filled with eye-burning smoke. What happened? Well, we have our theories: either the pan had a hole and thus dripped onto the heat element, or the juices were being spit out of the neck to the same place. So we cleaned up the bottom of our oven and tried again, this time with a cookie sheet under the pan. In went the turkey, again. About 30 minutes later, Juan brought up the good point that the bird should be placed in the pan breast-side-up. Unfortunately, we didn't pick up on that earlier and the bottom side of the turkey stole the nice caramel color that the top should have had. So, we rotated the turkey and put it back into the oven... yet again. Luckily this was our last mess-up on the turkey and it ultimately turned out juicy and delicious. Hey, everybody has a "First Turkey" story, right? Between us and our friends we ate dinner with, we had food coming out our ears! Here is what was on the menu:

• Roast Turkey
• Green Bean Casserole
• Homemade Stuffing
• Mashed Potatoes
• ...with Turkey Gravy
  
• Homemade Dinner Rolls
• Sweet Potato and Pear Crunch
• Apple Pie
• Banana Cream Pie
• and Pumpkin Pie with Whipping Cream

The rest of the day went a little like this: an ultimate game of Boggle, a little more piecing here and there, more Boggle while watching the Dallas Cowboys/NY Jets game, pie round #1, more Boggle, pie round #2, and finally a grand finale of Boggle. What I loved most about this day was that it was a day to formally think about things we are grateful for. I am so grateful for my little family. My husband, Juan, is such a good example to me and so supportive. Siena gives us so much joy and teaches us every day. We are living in a beautiful city and a free country, with so much history surrounding us. We have so many family members and friends who love and care about us. Most importantly, we have an eternal family and the knowledge of the Gospel on this earth. Heavenly Father has blessed our family this Thanksgiving.