The Cleveland Chronicles: Turkeys

This Thanksgiving, I had a lot to be grateful for. I got to go to my mom's house for Thanksgiving dinner for the first time since I got married ten years ago, Marc was actually able to come (a miracle!), and we had gorgeous weather so the boys could play outside a lot during our visit. In addition to my little family and my parents, my brothers Joe and Sam were also there. I wish I had more pictures, but maybe not taking them was one thing that helped keep our day simple and non-stressful. My mom and I whipped up a meal that included turkey, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, gravy, stuffing, rolls, a twelve-layer rainbow jello, fresh cranberry salad, pumpkin pie and chocolate pie. It was all good. In the evening, when it got chilly, my dad lit a fire in the fireplace. I loved the smell of the burning wood and the boys were mesmerized by the flames. It made me think of my childhood and other chilly evenings by the fireplace. I am so thankful for both the family I grew up in and the family Marc and I are raising now and for this fifth little boy who will be joining us soon. Anyway, I did want to share just a handful of pictures of our little Turkeys from our Thanksgiving visit:

My boys are totally spoiled in the pancake department. They always want different shapes. I was very impressed with these Turkey pancakes I made on Thanksgiving morning. My boys were not. They informed me that these definitely looked like bunnies.

My brother, Sam, made this gear for David John to dress up in out of cardboard and duct tape. If anyone needs to quell a riot, David John is ready for your call.

Here are all four Turkeys or are they fierce warriors? I'm not sure.

My mom had a little mini-party for the twins since she wouldn't be able to come to their actual birthday party the following week.

They played pin the nose on the pumpkin. Benjamin insisted on putting on his own blindfold. His nose placement was impeccable. I wonder what his secret was?