A First....

....and I hope a last?!


I know kids leave coats, gloves, hats, backpacks, lunchboxes, and an occasional sweatshirt BUT HOW DO YOU LEAVE YOUR DRESS AT SCHOOL???!!!


"I told one of my teachers to put it in my lunchbox, but she didn't."
"Why did you take it off?"
"I was hot."

Turkey Fish Play

Cooking a Turkey: Lesson 193

Found a 16 pounder for 76 cents a lb after Thanksgiving.  Kept it in the freezer for awhile.  When it says "thaw in fridge on tray"...it means it. I had to clean almost the whole fridge because turkey juice leaked everywhere (although it was in a bag and I didn't think I would leave it in the fridge as long as I did). After freezer, fridge, and oven, this is how it looked. Not bad. I used salt, pepper, butter/cooking spray. I thought I took out all the giblets...however once I started "plucking" the turkey, I found the neck was still inside. Yuck.

 After leaving it ON A TRAY in the fridge again for days, I decided to take one of my few breaks with all kids sleeping and attack the turkey. I sure didn't want all this trouble to be wasted and let the turkey go bad in the fridge. As I sat for way over an hour pulling this thing apart, I felt like someone lost in the wild, starving, and doing anything to survive... It got a little gross after awhile...especially with some of the sounds that were made while pulling certain pieces off.

 Finally! My plate of meat. I got 6 2-cup bags of cut up turkey to freeze and some to leave in the fridge to eat on.  Someone else can tell me if that is good or not... It didn't seem like a TON of meat, but maybe it is?? I've made turkey tetrizini and some other turkey/rice casserole dish.  Tastes like chicken.  After it's all said and done, I would have to say that everyone should cook their own turkey at least just once to get the whole experience.  However, I am not convinced that all the work that goes into it is worth it.  Maybe I was so slow because it was my first turkey?? But, the sense of pride and accomplishment still linger. 

I'm not sure what this face is saying....

 Family game of Go Fish. (we also really like uno, wack-a-mole, candy land)

 I can play too!

 I can play with my eyes closed!

Cutie pa tutie....in mom's professional opinion...

 Playing outside with the horns they got from a birthday party we went to for Justin's co-worker.

 Playing in the DUSTING of snow we got.  Just enough to warrant a nice cup of hot chocolate when they came inside!

Christmas

Christmas was very relaxing this year as it was just the five of us.  However, we did have Christmas with G&G before they left for Germany. Olivia wanted to help Grandpa open his trash picker upper. He is his neighborhood's liter patrolman.

We also had Christmas when Nana and Gramp visited. No real good pictures, but I thought this was fun.

This was Christmas day with the Ford five. Justin read the Christmas story before we opened presents.

 I'm hoping this is the LAST water bottle I have to get him. He has lost 3 of them so far...one of which was my favorite...giant one from the hospital when Olivia was born...great memory! Yes, I have forgiven him, I'm just still working through it. Since he works in a bunch of different high schools, if he leaves one at a school it is always gone by the time he gets back to that school to find it.

 What a big day!

 This was Isaac's favorite gift. It's a dog guitar.  Really cool actually. I highly suggest it...there's a whole band series at Target.

 Olivia favorite was the giant box of crafts and the shopping cart.  I think she uses it more like a baby stroller, but does manage to get some food items in it as well.

 How cool.

 I just couldn't decide which picture was more cute...

 I'm so excited to start my painting project.  Justin got me all the supplies I needed. I'll post it when I'm done.

The best gift: Jesus.