Sunday, December 6, 2009

Turkey and Pirates

I just can't move on with life until I blog about Thanksgiving. It's my favorite holiday. Of course I love Christmas, this whole season is just an amazing time of year, but let's be honest, Thanksgiving starts it all off. It has always been my favorite, and this year's was at the top of the list of AMAZING Thanksgivings.

We stayed home, which meant that I was going to be in charge of a big chunk of cooking. Luckily our good friends also stayed home and we were able to have dinner together. But the ULTIMATE was having newlyweds Jenni and Michael come from Provo for the whole weekend! Since this was Jenni's first Thanksgiving away from home, I really wanted it to be good and fun. I think we did a pretty good job!Christi made the most amazing turkey. I was so glad I wasn't in charge of that. It was delicious and I could have never even come close. Jenni and I were in charge of pies, and in true Jolley/Mitchell tradition, we had way more pies than we could actually eat. Fabulous.

And then some of us got to squeeze in a small nap and some football. Thanksgiving staples.

Easton perused the ads for us. We ridiculously decided to hit the outlet mall at midnight, along with half of las vegas. We got a few good deals, but really it was worth it to me because sadly there won't be many more opportunities for me to shop without kids. I have to do it in the middle of the night. We climbed into bed around 4 am. We definitely hit the strip, Mikey had never been here before. Volcano-cool. Fountains-cool. Lights-cool. Chinese people--highlight of the trip!!!! Michael served in Taiwan and whenever we were out, he was often found eavesdropping on the Chinese people's conversations, trying to figure out what they spoke. It was so entertaining.
We hit the cactus gardens and Santa early this year. It was super cold, but always fun to see the lights. Easton did good with Santa, walked right up there and told him he wanted Bulls Eye and Jesse for Christmas. But the most fun (at least for me) was watching how happy Easton was to be playing with Jenni and Michael. I think he wore them out playing pirates, trains, cars, and more pirates. They can last way longer than I can and Easton figured that out real quick. And Jenni got in lots of snuggle time with Carly too, so that made her (and me ) happy. I was so sad to see them leave. It makes me happy to know that they live close enough for visits like this. Thanks for making the drive down here guys, we love you so much!! Come back soon!

15 comments:

Danielle said...

I'm sorry. you said it was cold? In vegas? Hmmm...are you in need of a south-eastern idaho trip?! Looks way fun! I can't believe you guys went shopping at midnight!!!

Christi said...

Thanksgiving was so fun! Your pies and everything else was so good. Even the jello! Shopping was crazy, but it was kidless so I guess we can't complain too much. Glad that you got to spend time with Jenni and Michael.

WASHINGTON SOUTHWORTHS said...

You did have an awesome Thanksgiving - though we sure missed Nick, Christi and the girls up here in Oregon! We were missing NINE people compared to last year - 1/2 of them coming from their fam! Late night/early morning KIDLESS shopping is definitely bittersweet. Nice to not have to deal with the little ones, but instead fighting the crowds. Props to you and Christi for doing the big dinner on your own. :)

Alifinale said...

I love the pirate picture and napping pictures. Sounds like the best thanksgiving ever!

Carol and Bruce said...

While we sure missed you all here, we are glad you were together and that you had such a great time. Loved all the pictures!

Kara said...

I'm glad you weren't too homesick this year and that your Thanksgiving was great! Sorry I didn't join you in your shopping. But, I'm glad you had your sis here and had such a good time.

Jenni said...

Oh man, has it already been over a week??? Must be time to go back. Thank you SO much, em! Seriously, I didn't feel one sad moment all day for not being at home. I felt happy and loved to be with you guys. So, thank you SO MUCH! MIchael and I had the best time and I would give anything to be holding carly on the ship right now while playing pirates with Easton.

I love your pictures! Thanks for posting them, so I can steal them!

We did so many fun things, you guys are the best hosts!We still talk about it about everyday.

I miss you guys TONS!

Love you!

Brynne, Aaron and Cade said...

Sounds like a perfectly perfect holiday! Love it!

rose said...

awesomeness! how fun to have the lovebirds in your house. that pic of them with carly is TOOOOO CUTE!
and way to go on being SO brave about shopping. you're bonkers! ;)

Megan and Greg said...

Oh so much fun!!! I have never cooked a turkey. It sounds scary. I think it would be so fun to host a Thanksgiving! You know, minus all the stress :)
That's so cool Jenni got to come out. That pic of she and Micheal with Carly was so sweet. I loved all the pics. I MISS YOU!!!!

Megan and Greg said...

Oh my gosh. And the shopping. That is CRAZY!!!! I have never heard of that.

Jill said...

Yay! Good report. I missed you and Jenni a lot but I'm glad to hear you had more pies than you could eat too. I tried real hard to eat them all!

I can't believe you went shopping at midnight!!!! Cute pics of Easton! I want to hug him bad....

Kim said...

Wow! It looks like your Thanksgiving was awesome! I love the nap pictures. And kudos for venturing out to shop in the wee hours of the morning. I sent Danny to tackle that one. Maybe the fact that I had just given birth had something to do with my decision, also. :o) Nah, I would have sent him out either way.

Lani said...

We missed you so much on Thanksgiving! I'm glad you had a great time with Jenni and Micheal! As always I love the pics! Can Easton see through the paper towel telescope? It looks like his eye is closed!

Ilene said...

Taiwan, eh? Dan's nephew served there too about the same time. Did he know an Elder Vrvilo?

Isn't it fun playing the do-you-know game?