Turkey Overload!

Let me start by saying, starting a new diet before the holidays, not such a great idea!
Thanksgiving was fun. This year we actually had the Rasmussen family dinner at my house for the first time! It was fun, my mom did all the prep for the turkey and sides ect and all I had to do was the rolls... so of course, I pulled out the Rhodes bake and serve rolls. 6 dozen of 'em, really, was I gonna kneed the dough? No. And I have to tell ya, for the first time ever, the Rhodes Rolls let me down. I don't know what happened but they NEVER rose, egh! Looks like I am gonna be in charge of the ice for next year. I enjoy cooking, but it is something I have really just started to do and I quickly realized that I am no Martha Stewart. First, I didn't have any cornstarch to make the gravy, then I didn't have a potato masher (hello, potato pearls anyone???) and finally, as if the cornstarch fiasco wasn't enough, I don't own a gravy boat. So, note to self, I have a few items to pick up at Target before the next Rasmussen Thanksgiving since they voted, and it is at my house again. Gee, thanks guys.

(The cousins, looking everywhere but at me!)

As soon as we ate a little pie and washed a TON of dishes, we put the boys in the car and headed up to Pine to our cabin. It was so nice to actually get chilly as we got out of the car. I was soon regretting my new found love for the cold about 3am, when the temperature in our room plummeted below zero, I swear (ok, more like the 40's). Memo to us for next month, there is a floor heater in that room... Friday we ate another Turkey dinner this time with the Beck/Solomon gang. We had to make a trip down to Payson to get some medicine for my poor Berk who has a bug, and got to see the crazies all come out at Walmart! Good thing I didn't need much, that place was CrAzY! Braden got to spend the afternoon 'helping' clear the pine needles and shooting bow & arrows. Berk got to spend it sleeping on his Pops, and playing with Kelcie and Ryan. He has perfected the art of the sweet talk, and no one could resist giving him, well, anything he wanted! Friday night, we were a little warmer, thanks to the above mentioned heater and a few more blankets, despite the howling wind which dropped the outside temps below freezing! Braden cracked us up when in the middle of the night he rolled off his bed and in a super sleepy voice said, "That can't be good!"

Saturday we headed back to the valley to get the tree up and the lights out. And I got to go to a fun girls lunch with the girls I played with in high school. Kendee & Beth we missed you!

Most of the girls from out of state were home for the holiday and we couldn't pass up the chance to get together! Alison, Steph, Jami, Brooke, Shanon (and sweet Lily), Amy, Brooke and Jeannie and I all headed out to BJ's for lunch. We had a great time, good food and a lot of laughs. Our poor waiter heard more than his share of girl talk...we probably scarred him for life ladies! Some of them I see from time to time, but a couple I don't get to see very often and we are gonna change that! Bloggin' doesn't count as quality time-IMO. You girls are still as fun as you were back when we had the energy to do crazy dances at Cooley Park, and I remembered why I loved hanging out with you all- my cheeks hurt from laughing! And the Pizookie was as good as I told ya, huh. Hope all you out of state'rs travel home safe!

Can't wait for Vegas!