Thanksgiving 2009

Thankgsiving was rather interesting this year. We were alone. That was the first time for me. I have never been away from any kind of family. Ammon was during his mission and in Iraq, but other than the year we spent it with his family our first Thanksgiving as an old married couple, I have never been away from my family! I never realized how much I take advantage of my mom! I made everything though. Turkey, pies, all the fixings. I couldn't believe how it all adds up! Wednesday, I was on my feet ALL DAY LONG and made four pies. A pumpkin with strudel on top, a chocolate pecan, apple and a chocolate ricotta with a graham cracker crust. They all turned out pretty good. Ammon helped me when we were attempting to make a caramel sauce for the apple pie, but after about a dozen tries, we did something else.

Thursday was a great day! We watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade of course in the morning and I got the turkey ready. I had cleaned the night before and while I cooked, Ammon was so helpful and cleaned the bathroom! (ha). He was able to talk to all of his family so that was good for him. I made the turkey, stuffing, green bean casserole, carrots, sweet potatoes, opened the cranberry sauce and made and all the pies. We had the Castillos over for dinner and Teri made the ham, mashed potatoes and brought some rolls. We also had Pat Burke over, another drill sergeant who didn't go home. We had a lot of fun. Dinner turned out nicely and I learned a whole bunch. I think I will definitely look back on our first Thanksgiving alone as our little family and laugh in years to come.

Ammon carving the turkey. His first time. The white meat was actually moist. At least that is what people said. The dark meat didn't turn out. We learned what to do and what not to do. We actually used beer for it! If anyone saw our "Mormon household" recycling bins outside, they'd notice a beer and wine bottle (we used the wine for our attempted caramel sauce). Pretty funny.

Matthew eating. He loved the cranberry sauce and ate a hundred rolls.

We don't have a table big enough to fit everyone so we all had to eat on our laps. It wasn't too bad though. The weather was great that day as well.

That night, we were able to have another drill sergeant's family over for dessert. The Jacksons came with their month old son and 2-year-old McKenzie and she and Matthew had a blast running after each other around the house. It was nice having them over. She brought some red velvet cupcakes and some peach cobbler. Ammon's favorite. We also watched Four Christmases. HILARIOUS.

Tired. It was a great day and I can't believe that Thanksgiving is already over and it is almost December. Matthew's 2nd Thankgiving! Can't believe it!

I can't explain how blessed I think I am. With so many people losing their jobs and not having steady work, we are so blessed to have Ammon's job, military or not. We are able to get out of debt, save some and pay all our bills. We're grateful for the military and all those dedicated men and women (and their families, especially all those wives) who are so willing to sacrifice their time for their country. I think when we all get to heaven one day, Christ will just love all those people who were so willing to serve. I'm grateful for our families. For my mom and dad, the best parents in the entire world. They have taught me anything and everything I needed to know to become a mom and an active member of the church. I have the best sister in the entire world! I learn everything from her and look up to her for so many things. I have such great brothers who are great examples to me and who have easily become some of my best friends, especially Chris who pretty much shares every single one of my interests. I taught him everything he knows! ha. I can't even express how grateful I am for the church! It seriously guides my every decision. What I wear, what I eat, what activities I do, what music I listen to, my political beliefs, my family life, how I speak, and even what I don't do. I don't know where I would be without it. It's hard for me to comprehend my life if I wasn't a member of the church.

And lastly, I am most grateful for Ammon and Matthew. I am a mother! I still can't believe it! You really can't comprehend a mother's love for you until you become one yourself. It truly is the most amazing job in the world!!!! I love Ammon so much! He works so hard for our family and I am so proud of him and that I am called Mrs. Drill Sergeant! We have so much fun together and he makes me laugh all the time even when he does call me Cheech. We are happy and we are so blessed to have such a good little boy. (oh and, we're grateful for Brooklyn too!)