{Merry Thanksgiving}

Have you ever wondered why we spend hours preparing a meal that takes 10 minutes to eat; after which you feel like you are going to explode; causing everyone to lay around lazily for at least the next three hours? I don't understand why we do this. I remember my mom spending hours planning and preparing Thanksgiving dinner (as we children so joyfully helped) all for 10 minutes of eating. I dunno...I don't get it. I told Dean, that I hope no one ever plans on me hosting Thanksgiving dinner some year...it will be Big Macs all around!



Other than the fact that the way we celebrate makes no sense to me, I really enjoy Thanksgiving. The weather is finally cooling down, Dean usually gets several days off, family is around and everyone/everything seems to be happy and grateful (see Our Gratitude Turkey above). This year was very simple. My family was out of town or with in-laws and Dean's siblings were with in-laws, so we had Thanksgiving with Dean's parents and sister. Our dinner responsibilities: jello salad (of which I made two--one to share/one to keep---yum!), mashed potatoes (which were the creamiest) and a tri-tip (that Dean cooked in the crock pot). I know the tri-tip is a little off, but Dean and I decided to boycott turkey this year and were glad we did. Crock pot tri-tip was delicious!

However wonderful Thanksgiving can be, the best part is the day after. No not for shopping, but for decorating for Christmas. Lauren helped me put out the Nativity and other decorations, while Dean set up the 2/3 of the tree. Why 2/3 you ask? Because according to Dean, the living room is too small for our 7ft artificial tree, so he left off the bottom section....whatever right?...at least it's up. It is barely taller than Lauren.

Dean was even able to hang the lights on the house. I also got all the presents wrapped and my Christmas cards just need a picture and postage. I have never been so prepared for Christmas. I am hoping the extra effort to be ready will help me enjoy the time of year and not stress so much about the little things. Plus who wants to fight of a million snow birds and grumpy shoppers with a newborn...not I...not I! So now, if I could just have this child and Lauren could get over her little sickness, I would say we are on our way to a very Merry Christmas!