Thanksgiving at home

Over the years I've had quite a few experienced chefs in my kitchen during the Thanksgiving holiday but none of them hold a candle to Jaden. She stayed up with Kyle and I until 11:30 preparing the turkey (that cooks through the night). Raising this one is already starting to pay off.

Jaden helped to clean out the gizzards,

(I love this candid pic we caught)

inject the herbs and flavoring,

and of course, in the end, take all the credit for a

beautiful turkey that was even more delicious!

Not to be outdone by her performance the night before,

Jaden decorated a beautiful Thanksgiving table.

Ty did as he only knows best - he got ready for some football. Really, he went up to his room alone and came back down fully dressed in this. Reese was also in the kitchen as my nearly naked, not so helpful shadow.

Our long awaited guests Nick, Katy and Sutton arrived

from San Antonio and we did feast. Followed by some serious playing of the wii.

Did I mention serious? Click on the pic to see their faces. Yes,

baby Sutton, this is what you have to look forward to.

Reese dons the "Great Gobbler" crown that was not rightfully hers. Jaden won this years "Great Gobbler" questionnaire of Thanksgiving trivia challenging Uncle Nick to 3 sudden deaths. Never got Jaden to pose for a picture however.

A quick post of Halloween, so that I can post Thanksgiving, cause Christmas is 5 days away!

I hang my head in shame because I didn't take any good pics of the kids in their costumes. Guess that's what happens when you put on the Elementary School Fall Carnival the same day. These will have to do.

Finally, it's all about me!

The surprise of a lifetime! Four sisters, 1 sister in-law and two nieces flew to Texas and showed up on my doorstep on my 30th birthday. When opening my front door to see all of them for the first time I believe I said, " Oh my gosh!" repeated seven times very slowly. I was completely shocked. I had no idea. Jaden and Kyle kept a good secret.

Yes I cried. And I challenge any of you to keep from crying under the same circumstances.

From left: Sarah, Lexee, Deborah, Kiffen, Hailey, Deon and Miriam

We took a trip to Kemah Boardwalk

We all rode the train.

A few less rode the phantom. Jaden being one of them.

Even fewer rode the 100ft drop.

And this one held babies so she wouldn't have to ride anything. Let's just say the car ride to Kemah was plenty exciting for Deborah and her nausea.

Deborah, while writing this I had yet another good chuckle reliving our ride (don't remember the name of the ride, do remember your eyes rolling to the back of your head) together at the Lynden Fair when we were kids.

Some took turns trying to be the favorite Aunt. Better luck next time Deon or rather grandma!

We ate out at Fish City Grill.

We played a few rousing games of zingo.

Still at Fish City Grill

And others of us studied calculus.

What we don't have any pictures of is the poor lady we turned in and who was then arrested outside my local grocery store. That was exciting. Doing our civic duty (or rather being a typical Davis -looking for some drama) we made the world a better place by seeing to it there be one less intoxicated individual driving the streets.

Also not pictured and for very good reason: what we looked like after staying up every night until 1:00 or 2:00 a.m. Lots of laughing, movies, walking down memory lane, making new memories, eating, drinking and being merry!

I had a blast! Still shocked that you all came. Thank you for making me feel so very special. It was my best birthday yet.

And, Lexee, I still haven't erased your beautiful picture you left me on my wall. :) I love it.