Thanksgiving 2025

For Thanksgiving this year, we had a couple of church members over for lunch, so we needed all hands on deck to help prep our Thanksgiving feast! We had a full menu, so we started a couple of days ahead of time to be sure to get it all done. But I had great helpers! 

We went back to our Pioneer Woman turkey brine and roasted turkey recipes from a couple of year's ago. I started cooking at 325, then raised the temp to 350, and I didn't have to worry about it being undercooked this time. Much better results :)

We made Mike's family recipes: his grandma's cornbread dressing and rolls. It's fun to pass down family recipes to the kids, and I love that they look forward to helping with these recipes. 

We also had mashed potatoes, honey roasted carrots, green bean casserole, corn, cranberry sauce, gravy, and (of course) pumpkin pie. 

The rest of the day was relaxing and enjoying our turkey coma :)  And of course, we couldn't finish the day without watching A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving. 

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving, and we are so thankful for the memories together as a family. We missed being with our extended family, but we are thankful for the time we had with members of our church family. We praise God for all the blessings that He has granted throughout this year.

Thanksgiving 2024

This year for Thanksgiving, it was just the 5 of us. I almost didn't do a turkey; it seemed like too much work for "just us," but the kids asked if we were going to do one. And I knew that the whole point of starting the traditions last year was so that we could continue them, and so the kids could have an anchor for their childhood memories. So a turkey it would be! :)

I decided to try a simpler {and smaller} turkey this year. I used this recipe, which allowed for less prep time. It was SO much easier to work with a smaller bird haha. While it was good, and I learned a little bit more about turkey prep and timing, admittedly...the Pioneer Woman's recipe was better! Turns out, the brining ahead of time makes a difference. Live and learn ;)

Mike made his grandma's homemade rolls again, and the kids were excited to help! It's fun to watch them jump in to help in the kitchen and grow in their culinary skills. And I love that Mike gets to pass down a family recipe and tradition. 

Somehow, we ended up making more food this year haha. It started with just turkey, rolls, and roasted green beans/carrots. But then I just started adding things for varying reasons: deviled eggs {because I don't really eat the traditional Thanksgiving things and I decided I wanted some}, cranberries {just the can, but I remembered that the kids loved them last year, and why not?}, mashed potatoes {I bought potatoes for the roll recipe, but ended up not needing them, so I didn't want to waste them}, and corn on the cob {because as we were finishing up the meal, Aiden goes, "Mommy, is there any corn?" and I remembered that we had some in the freezer that I could make that sweet boy who wasn't going to eat the roasted veggies haha}.

As Mike and I were finishing up dinner, the kids decided they wanted to "surprise" us by setting the table and decorating it. We have recently been learning in our manners book about table etiquette, and they wanted to put their knowledge to use! They're pretty cute, and it's good to know they're actually listening haha :)

Of course, we wrapped up the meal with some pumpkin pie. I'm thankful for this sweet day with my family.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving 2023

This year for Thanksgiving, we decided to make it our "practice" year for a Thanksgiving meal. I made my first official meal a couple of years ago, but I made the turkey in the crockpot because I was too nervous to try it in the oven. And it was fine. But I decided to give it a go, for real this year ;)

I was gifted a turkey, and it ended up being 19-pounds haha. What better way to "practice" than on the largest bird available? Go big, or go home, right? Since it was so large, we knew we would have more than enough to share, so we put out an invitation to several people in our church. Many already had plans, but we ended up having a sweet woman from our congregation join us, and it was such a blessing to have her. 

This year, I started with The Pioneer Woman's recipes: brine and roast turkey. And while it was a decent amount of prep work, it actually turned out pretty good! I definitely learned a lot along the way, but overall, it was doable for a non-cook like me ;)

First thing I learned: I don't have a big enough pot. I had to do my brine in 2 batches because my pot wasn't big enough for the amount of brine necessary for a 19-pound turkey. Go figure. I don't plan to cook a 19-pound turkey again in the future, but if I do...I'm gonna need a bigger pot.

I also had my little helpers in the kitchen with me. Maybe if I can teach them alongside me, they'll learn early and take pity on their poor mother and be the ones to cook the turkey when they're grown haha. 

While we waited for the brine to cool, we finished up some schoolwork and then pulled out a fun Thanksgiving activity map {thank you, Dollar Tree!}.

Necessity is the mother of invention. Where there is a will, there is a way...I was smart enough to get the brining bag, but not smart enough to think through where the brining bag was going to go with the turkey and all the liquid in it. And since my pot certainly wasn't big enough...let's just say, my kids were not too sure about my idea, because I definitely roped them into helping me hold the bag while I stuffed the turkey inside. But Mommy got 3 loud cheers when I accomplished my goal AND lifted it into the fridge, so... 

Mike was busy making his family's recipes for rolls and dressing. The kids were more than happy to help with that too, and they turned out great! Made with love :)

In the end, everything turned out great, we had a lovely Thanksgiving meal with wonderful company, and it was a great day of giving thanks for all the Lord has done. I'm thankful for sweet family traditions to pass down and start with our kiddos, and I am thankful for how the Lord is so faithful to take care of us all year long. Praise God from whom all blessings flow! :)

Happy Thanksgiving!

{iPhone Rewind} :: November

This year, we're drawing what we're thankful for! {lots of drawings of birthday presents right now haha}

Painting his monster truck! Such concentration :)

Playing Pretty Pretty Princess with my girlie :)

Creating his masterpiece...

Spent the morning exploring Frying Pan Farm Park

She gets so excited to watch videos of herself haha

Dunking raisins! #science

Haha. I love her artwork :)

They sure look cute...

Riding bikes at our new house!

Take my picture, too, Mommy :)

It has been hard to keep little hands off these pretty orange fall flowers haha

Our Chinese pastor is retiring after many years of faithful service, so we had a celebration for him and his wonderful wife. Such a sweet couple and blessing to our family; we love Pastor Isaac and Mrs. Ramona!

We enjoyed a fun birthday lunch with Mike!

Thanksgiving 2022

We spent the week doing some Thanksgiving-type crafts and reading Fall/Thanksgiving books.

My favorite activity we have worked on all month is these thankful pages from Arrows & Applesauce {part of their November Apple Snacks}. Each day, the kids could draw something for which they were thankful. Lots of toys and {random} animals on our lists, but I like how it got them to think about specific things.

We were planning for a quiet day at home {which we had}, but we got invited to a dinner with one of our deacons and his family, and we were so thankful to spend time with them. We got to play games, eat yummy food, and enjoy great company.

Maddie asked me if I would curl her hair :)

Learning how to play Chess

We missed being with family this year, but we are so thankful for the sweet friends the Lord has provided for us here. He has provided so much for us, and we are grateful for the community with whom we have to share and give thanks.

Happy Thanksgiving!