Thanksgiving 2011

Thanksgiving was such great fun this year. It was very busy and hectic but what would the holdiday be without the work? I started my baking the day before. I made roll dough and baked my pies. I did leave the roll dough out all night so that was ruined and I had to hurry and make some more on Thanksgiving day. Oh well, that was the most tragic thing that happened so I can not complain.  I did make a new pie this year, Chocolate Banana Cream.  It was all finished by the end of the night so I guess it tasted good.  David came over early and got to cooking his turkey, potatos, and yams. Scott also cooked a turkey in the Dutch oven. They both were delicious and we both had leftovers to make turkey soup. You can't beat that! Grandma Orgill brought stuffing, shrimp, and homemade cranberry sauce. Barry and his new lady friend, Charmaine, brought beautiful relish and cheese trays. Jared and Pinja brought olives and pickles and Jacob and Felicia brought icecream so dinner was complete and glutenous. Our dinner guests included Scott, Jackie, Shauntel, Josie, Jacob and Felicia; David, Jennifer, Carson, Carter, Connor, Jared, Pinja, Chuck (David's long time friend), Lamont and Colleen Carson (Jen's parents); Grandma Orgill; Barry, Charmaine, Sammy, Colton and Ashley (Charmaine's 17 year old son and 15 year old daughter). We missed having Ryan and the kids, Brad and Amy, and Whitney and Kellen, but we will all be together on Christmas Eve and I can not wait!

 

 

After dinner was cleaned up, thanks so much to all who helped, especially Jen, Colleen, and Grandma Orgill, a few of us went to the movie Breaking Dawn. Josie and Shauntel wanted to go so they invited Grandma Orgill, Barry, Charmaine, Sammy, and me. We had a great time. They all seemed to like the movie. I was a little bored but loved being with the gang. Besides Coke Zero and popcorn, what's not to love?

 

 

The next day I made it my goal to decorate for Christmas. I have been a bit of a party pooper the past two years. Two years ago we were just finishing the remodeling so I just put up the tree with no ornaments. Last year I did decorate the tree and put a few things around. This year I have put out all that I have that is still in good condition. I need to replenish my decorations. I do collect pyramids and snow globes so I buy a new pyramid every year and Telly buys me a new snow globe so that will keep growing. It is fun to get the snow globes out and reminisce about getting them. Shyann helped me decorate the Christmas tree. J.R. was at the football game with his dad so he was unavailable to help. As you can imagine, we had many ornaments at the bottom of the tree so with Shyann's permission we redistributed many of them and spread them out a little. She was so proud of herself and shows everyone her work.

 

 

Once again, I am reminded how wonderful it is to be with family and how much fun they are. I really can not wait until Christmas so that I can have them all together again. Love all you guys!

Homemade Rolls

My Famous Pies!

Two Turkeys (Scott's on top, Dave's below)

Appetizers

Jake at the Buffet Bar

Charmaine, Colton, Ashley, and Sammy

Colleen and Lamont Carson

Pinja, Jared, Felicia, Jacob, and Josie

Carson, Carter, and Connor Playing With the Ipad

Scott and Jennifer

Grandma Orgill taking pictures, like usual!

Shyann's Decorated Tree

So proud!

Finished Tree After a Little Redistribution

Snow Globes - Saving a Spot for This Year's Gift

Candle Pyramids

Sunday Dinners

Every Sunday the family comes over for Sunday dinner. It is great fun. This week we had Grandma Orgill make us her famous and delicious fried chicken. She made it especially for Shauntel who had surgery last Tuesday (November 15). The rest of the family just mooched in on the deal, as we always do when Grandma is cooking chicken for Telly. A few months back we decided to start playing A Minute to Win It. It is a game show on television where you must complete a task within a minute. We haven't played it for a few weeks and J.R. asked if we could play tonight. The task is called Junk in the Trunk. You have to get 8 balls out of the box by shaking your rear end. The fastest time to an empty box wins. J.R. played for about three seconds and then quit in frustration. It only took Amy and me three seconds to empty the box so we tied for the win this round. It was a great night and a yummy dinner.

J.R. starting the round.

His face of frustration.

Shyann did it in 58 seconds!

Felicia time was unrecorded because she cheated, just a little.

Jake quit after about 15 or so seconds. Amy and I had all ready hit the 3 second time.

Scott quit after 3 seconds, because what's the use after that. He is a good sport!

The Winners!

Those who are not pictured are party poopers and would not try it. Brad did time us however, so I guess that counts as partcipation.

Di'meek Bistro

What a week it has been. We celebrated three birthdays this week, Brad (9th), Scott (10th), and Whitney (11th). Sorry Whitney I wasn't thinking and didn't take any pictures. It was fun to have my kids, grandkids, and Grandma Orgill come over and eat pie on Scott's Birthday. He turned 52 this year. Unbelievable! Shauntel was very sweet and made Scott some German chocolate cake balls because Scott loves cake so much. I have to admit, I liked them too. I am not a fan of the cake balls but these were really tasty. It was a fun night to be together, visit, and celebrate my sweeties special day. J.R. and Shyann made Grandpa cute birthday cards. We will not discuss Jacobs card. ;)

Tonight was Bingham Ball. Josie and her group decided that they would like to rent a limo and to help with the costs we volunteered our house for dinner so the partiers could save a little money. The girls asked Chef Uncle (David) to come and cook for them because he dresses the part and makes delicious and beautiful food. They all seemed to have a good time and laughed a lot. I love my kitchen more and more every time we do something like this. We were able to seat 14 at the table comfortably, and the guys and gals didn't have to wait an hour in a restraunt for a table. David did the cooking while Scott and I waited on the diners. Yes even Scott helped at the table. He is kind of reserved and likes to stay behind the scene but he was right there dressed like a pro waiting on the couples. David made beautiful Asian salads with rose tomatoes and cucumber borders. He then served teriaki chicken with ham fried rice. I made a special treat for desert. Chocolate fondue with rice crispie treats, marshmellows, vanilla wafers, bananas, and homemade sponge cake for dippers. We had a ton of chocolate left over so we will eat some for desert at our weekly Sunday dinner tomorrow. The girls then took the guys outside to see their sweet ride for the night, the LIMO. They were all so excited that that was going to be their ride for the night. They all climbed in and off they went to the dance. We were then off to Johannas for dinner because their were no leftovers to eat. This is one of J.R. and Grandpa's favorite places to eat so they were both happy. Ryan met us there, he had been at the U of U football game. The Utes won, go Utes. It was a great way to end a very busy day. It is good to have the night over because the girls wanted the whole day to be a secret and some of us kept slipping and making comments when Aaron was here (mostly me). The groups will come back after the dance and play the Wii projected on the wall in our family room. Hope they have fun.

All in all, I would say this was one great week with lots of fun!

David and His Food

The Table Before the Guest

Dad and Daughter Pictures - They are a dance tradition.

Aaron and Josie

The Diners

Hard at Work

The Crew

The Limo

After the Guests

Halloween Weekend

Menopause the Musical
Carving Pumpkins - Bella

Jared and Pinja

Ryan, J.R., Shyann, and Felicia

Jackie and Jennifer

Party Poopers

David, Connor, and Carter

Josie and Aaron

Jacob and Felicia

David and Taylor

Blurry Picture of finished pumpkins

The whole gang

Bella and Connor - they were too busy to come with the rest
Shrunken Head Cider - Baked apples

Notice the teeth on this one!

It has been a very fun weekend. Yesterday Brad, Amy, Scott and I went to Menopause the musical. Brad thought it would be fun for me because I have entered into the dreaded state of menopause. I have suffered through the migraines, exhaustion, and hot flashes. It has not been too horrible and the hot flashes only lasted about one month. I understand that they will most likely come back every now and again but I am enjoying the break. The musical was very funny and they re-wrote old popular songs with lyrics that fit the play. I really enjoyed going and after Brad and Amy took Scott and me to Squatters Pub. It was good food and we all said we would go back again if we have a chance. Yes Kellen, Scott ordered a Black and Bleu burger. I don't think he loved it as much as the burger at the Wisconsin Pub, but it was pretty close.

Today we held the annual pumpkin carving activity. We had a good crowd come. It is still very chaotic but fun. We decided that it would be easier if everyone brought their gutted pumpkins to carve so it is a bit easier. David is hosting next year and so we will see if we remember. There were no injuries or tears. Everyone seemed to really have a good time. Shauntel made an apple and lemonade cider with floating shrunken heads made from baked apples with Tootsie Roll eyes. It was very creative and fun. She always makes the party even more festive. We also ate Dunford Donuts. I have been losing the weight I gained while going to school and I have decided that every ten pounds I would reward myself with a chocolate Dunford. I reached my second ten pound goal (20 pounds so far) so even I was able to indulge in the chocolatey goodness.

What a fun and great weekend. We miss Whitney and Kellen but they will be able to be with us someday. Thanks kids for the fun time!