We are Thankful

We had the most wonderful Thanksgiving. We were supposed to have Thanksgiving with friends this years but plans changed. So, that meant Thanksgiving would just be the four of us. I will tell you that even though there was only four of us that does not mean that we scaled down this feast either. Oh no, because that would be silly.

It was the most wonderful day. I got up early to fix the guys butterbraid bread before the Turkey bowl (tradition). Then I started the preparations.

Once Rylee got up she helped and we watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade while we worked in the kitchen. Once the guys got home they finished putting the lights on the house. Thanksgiving is our official "Lights On".

Dinner came together beautifully. While I was at the gym on Tuesday or Wednesay I was Watching Oprah and she had Christine Ferrari (spelling?). Anyway, she was making a Thanksgiving turkey marinade that sounded really good. So, since we were alone I thought "why not". Oh my goodness! It was Delicious! I highly reccomend it. Oprah.com, check it out.

Our dinner was so good and our conversation was wonderful! We each said what we were thankful for and I of course broke down into tears. I am such a baby. I just love my family. Not just my immediate family but my extended family.

TJ pored the "wine".

We even let buddy join the feast. We added turkey and carrots to his kibble. He is such a good boy. Asking him to sit for this picture while the scent of that delicious food was in front of him was pure torture.
You know what happens to humans after they eat turkey... well I am not lying, not two minutes after he licked his bowl clean he feel fast asleep. LOL!

This is Miss Rylee and Gunnar in front of the fire while the rest of us were watching the Bond Marathon.

2008 Turkey Bowl

Blaine Ward Girls Win Multi Stake Volleyball Championship

Blaine in the Prep Bowl

In four years of Blaine football the prep bowl was never in the cards for TJ. So, this is bittersweet for him to see his school finally go to the prep bowl. Blaine knocked off two nationally ranked teams to get to this point. The championship game is the day after Thanksgiving and will be played at the Metrodome. Go Bengals!

California Dreamin'

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Gobble, Gobble, Gobble

Thanksgiving dinner will be good this year. Seriously, these turkeys walk through are yard everyday at this time of year. Rylee used to call them "naked turkeys" because their feathers were not out.

Gorgeous Ghoulies

Rylee and her best bud Megan went to a party dressed as these gorgeous ghouls. After their party, they went to the Blaine Football section finals.

Blaine beat Coon Rapids 24 -21. On to state.

Who says big boys can't dress up?

Will the real Dark Knight please stand up?

TJ went to the Young Adult dance with Luke Lehman. While there TJ made a new friend, none other than the Timberwolves Mark Madson. We are hoping for a friendship to bloom and maybe score some centercourt seats againsts the Jazz.

Other highlights to his evening include coming in second in the pie eating contest.

8 Days Till the Happiest Place on Earth

WE ARE SO EXCITED!!!! THIS WEEK BETTER GO BY FAST!!!

Look who is finally excited for Disneyland

Apple Orchard

Last Saturday we went to an apple orchard in White Bear Lake with the Bennetts (I know shocking, we almost never hang out with them). Anyway, the kids picked out pumpkins in this HUGE pumpkin patch, then we went into their store and bought a ton of apple delights.

Princess Surprise Party

Some may think I am a little long in the tooth to have a princess party... but then you must not know me very well. LOL!!!

My sweet husband and Dorothea plotted, yes I said plotted because I don't like secrets( I must have control at all times), to give me a surprise party. But not just any surprise party, a Princess surprise party and not just any princess my favorite princess Cinderella.

It was great. Kim told me he was taking me to a park to boil shrimp (not fun). Then we drove to the Bennetts and he said oh they are coming too. But really as you can all guess that was his diabolical plot. Oh he is so tricky. We had Steak, shrimp, crab legs, twice baked potatoes, salad, homemade bread and cake and ice cream. Dorothea decorated the house so cute and it was so much fun. But the best part of the whole evening was when Crane got down on his knees and bowed to me. If only we had a picture. I do have witnesses.

5 Shopping days left...

Six shopping days left....

Disneyland or bust!

The Dorney and Hoyt famlies are doing their part to boost the economy. We decided to throw caution to the wind and take our traditional trip to Disneyland. We even travel on election day.

This will be the first year that TJ will be able to vote and he will be the swing vote in our house. That is all I am going to say, you will have to draw your own conclusion as to what side Kim and I are on. Needless to say, we are having some heated debates. You think you know someone....

Anyway, we are really looking forward to this trip, especially me and my brother Brandon. We get more excited about this trip than the kids.

34 days! Make sure to vote.

First Day of 10th grade

What a beauty!

Laces Down

This is Gunnar's ball of choice. TJ used to have a dozen practice balls. This is the remaining ball.

Summer ends... Labor Day

We celebrated the end of summer with our best friends, the Bennetts. We had a blast! Crane displayed his expert BBQ skills with burgers and brats. We then played volleyball (our own version). We call it Suburb Volleyball.

Gunnar Needs a Bath!!!

By the time we got home from the dog park Gunnar was ssmmmeeelllly! So, we decided to give him a bath and with a 95 lb Lab, this is a family affair.

After his bath we combed him out then TJ brought out the aftershave. "This is what Grandpa Ken does for Sully".

So now puppy is fluffed and folded and smelling pretty.


By the time we were all done the poor guy was pooped!