Thanksgiving Fun in Jersey

Since we have been home to Iowa so many times this past Fall we decided (well our pocket books decided) to stay in Jersey for the holidays...all of them (x-mas too) and although we are sad about missing our families, we are making it great by starting some traditions for our little family of 3 :)

So far all we have is doing some type of craft with Gwen (and any other kids that may arrive later in life) and this year was a Thanksgiving Wreath!




We also decided to start putting the tree up the night before Thanksgiving that way we can have the tree lit and the decorations up for Thanksgiving Dinner...Gwen LOVED this the most. She was so excited to put her ornaments up, it was absolutley adorable. Great Grandma Wright made her a sled the year she was born like she does for each family member (I got one too!) and Gwen loves this one the most.





We have cooked Thanksgiving dinner each year that we have been out in Jersey and usually for more then 3 people so we have had to make a lot of food. We tried our hardest to buy and cook for only 3 people this year (well 2.5 since Gwen doesn't eat that much) and yet we still ended up cooking as if we have 10 people over! OOPS! Oh well...we are still eating leftovers today (is it Tuesday the 30th)...believe me we have thought of some pretty creative ideas to make these left overs NOT boring :)

This picture doesn't even have the Green Bean casserole on the table yet...and 2 pies, WOW!!!


We were really excited to be able to use not only all of our new Calphalon pots and pan and Turkey roaster, but also our brand new casual china from our wedding, We LOVE IT! Gwen even got to use her "good dishes" I received as a shower gift for her 3 years ago!



And finally, can't publish this post withour congratulating Jason on his first time EVER finding the bag of gibblets in the turkey! Congrats hunny...it only took you 3 years! He would always dig around and then be like, "Stef, I don't think they put one of those bags in this turkey this year" EVERY YEAR...lol. I would then step in, find the bag and make fun of him but no...not this year. Way to go husband!!!