Thanksgiving at Noelle's

Happy Thanksgiving all- Love this picture of Ben and Carter.  

Thanksgiving was at Noelle's this year and it was a dual celebration since it was also Cooper's 3rd birthday.  He wanted everyone to have birthday hats so we made turkey hats.

Everyone got into it and it got very competitive.  They were all quite fun!

Ben brought his little bottles of Spiced Rum.  He wouldn't share with anyone.

The host and hostess... Thanks for your wonderful hospitality!

Smile girls, say "gobble, gobble"!

Such a sweet father and son moment!

Even Suzie got to wear a hat.  Fortunately, she tolerated it well.

Thanks for your help Mom.  I love my hat!

The birthday boy and his mommy.  Isn't this adorable?!

Sitting around talking about who knows what!

Grammy and her grandsons.

Happy birthday to me.  Thanks for the turkey cupcakes Mom!

Buddy says "please, please, please can't I have a small bite?"

Look at my new bike everybody!

Tayler had to go for a spin.  Nice boots T!

There wasn't one picture of the wonderful turkey dinner but we had to end with dessert.                             Yeah for Creme de Menthe shots!

Another Turkey Day in the books.  We are so grateful for our friends and family.

Basting the Turkey

So it was Ben and Jordan's responsibility to prepare the turkey for cooking.  Ben decided to inject it with a garlic butter mixture.  But first they had to wash the turkey...

 Uh Oh, he took his jacket off.  I think he is enjoying this a little too much!

 Don't they look so serious?  They were very focused on doing their job but don't let this picture fool you.  They were acting up right before and right afterward.  In fact, the next picture... well it will speak for itself!

Jordan jokingly said he had a toothache. Ben quickly offered to numb the gums and use his pliers to pull the tooth.  Ugh, it's like two teenage boys sometimes! 

 So the injections finally finished and the turkey was wrapped and left to marinate overnight.  After preparing all the cooking areas, the turkey was slowly lowered into the fryer.  It was some yummy turkey!  Unfortunately, I have no idea what happened to the finished picture, sad :( 

Stay tuned for the next group of pictures!

LSU is on top again!  Yeah baby, headed to the National Championships!

Save the Date- January 9, 2012

Next stop- SEC Championship game...

Family Halloween Gathering

We called all the troops (it was a Facebook message, but we informed everyone, OK!)  We decided on a Halloween themed potluck since it was the day before Halloween.  Danielle U made this cool snake filled with ham and cheese.  So yummy and fun!

Danielle K and baby Carter with Jessica and baby Connor.  Babies everywhere! 

 Brady and Ashley with baby Cupcake.  She is such a cutie!  Buster got to stay home alone and get a little respite from Cupcake's puppy harassment!

 Ben and Connor were making faces at each other.  What a funny little smirk on Connor's face :)

 Even though Ben isn't looking at the camera, I added this picture because it's so good of Danielle and Logan.  And Logan was elusive this day- I had a hard time getting his picture for a while.

 At first glance, you are probably wondering why I cropped this picture this way.  Look again, there are two sleeping babies in this picture!

 But alas, Carter didn't sleep for long.  That's okay though because he got in some "Grammy" snuggle time!

 Ben and Jordan just chillin' after eating all the yummy food!

 Matt was also an elusive "photographee" this day.  Perhaps it had something to do with the unfortunate soup heating accident.  Too bad Danielle looked away but isn't this sweet?!

 Helping Connor learn to crawl...it takes a village!

 Hunter was so fascinated with Cupcake.  He was trying to talk to her.  PS~ that boy smelled so good!

 Danielle hadn't seen our TV come up out of it's cabinet so we convinced Cooper that if he did a dance, he could magically make the TV appear.  It kept the adults amused for just as long as it kept Cooper amused.  It was pretty funny!

We had a great time.  We'll have to do another day real soon so that the rest of the family can join us too!

Yabba Dabba Do!

Now that's getting into the Spirit!  Ben's floor went with a Flintstones theme for Halloween this year. Love the Great Gazoo!  I was so proud of Ben for donning his bowling shirt and Lodge hat!

 I don't think they accomplished a single thing all day except having fun.  Some days you just have to relax and enjoy the flow.  Their floor took first place for the most coveted Best Floor Decorations Award!

 Silly IT guys!  I mean "Hail to the Grand Poobah!"

Alana & Jordan in the PNW

My sister Alana and nephew Jordan are now living in the Pacific NW. Ben and I violated Steve and Noelle's "no in-law zone" by moving within a 10 mile radius of them when we bought our house.  I think we really crossed the line now that Jordan and Alana are with us!  This beautiful October day, we went searching for changing leaves.  There were a few but I think we were a week too early! 

 This is Ben's look of pain.  He pulled a muscle in his leg and was limping around like crazy.  He was a good sport though because he knew how much Jordan wanted to see our beloved Multnomah Falls. 

 The weather was a little overcast but you could still see for miles. It's such an incredible sight to behold no matter the conditions.  And there was no wind...I don't think I've ever been to Vista House when there was no wind! 

 Jordan took this picture at Latourell Falls.  It was a pink baseball cap kinda day!

 Not really sure what we were doing but it was such an eclectic picture that I had to add this one in.  We had packed a picnic lunch and were having some nourishment before heading to the top of the falls.

 Awww, so cute!  And as always, the Falls were magnificent!

 Jordan and I made it to the top after about an hour and 15 minute hike. It was a "tie your jacket around your waist" hike because the weather was perfect! We spent about 1/2 hour at the top just exploring the stream bed and marveling over the boulders.  It was so cool to watch a new "Falls convert" as Jordan explored the beauty of the PNW outdoors. 

 Next time, Perdition trail!

 I love this shot- an old tree stump, the falls in the background and Jordan.  Too cool!

You knew there was going to be one of these...look how beautiful the Gorge is...even on a cloudy day!

Welcome to God's country Alana & Jordan and the beauty that He has given all around us.