Turkey Lurkey 2011

What a WHIRLWIND Thanksgiving weekend!


Packed up and headed out around 6am on Wednesday for Iowa. Lots of travel time but lots of family time to make it all worth while. When we arrived Charlie got right to work in the kitchen on Turkey cookies - a parting gift for Thanksgiving dinner. Nana made him his own apron - and one for Aunt Monica as well. These two were a hoot in the kitchen. Monica has always called Charlie "Boogie" and now that is what he affectionately refers to her as also - Lots of Boogieing going on between the two of them - But LOTS of fun!

Thursday, we woke up to the Macy's parade - has always been a  big tradition for my side of the family. Sometimes leading into the Dog Show which just makes Josh cringe! We flipped it on just in time to see the Buzz and Sponge Bob balloons! Very exciting.

The ladies spent the day in the kitchen helping Josh's mom since she was the hostess with the mostess- the boys fed the cows and spent lots of time out and about on the farm.

Everyone arrived that evening and the tables were beautiful and the house smelled delicious. We dined with 20 something loved ones and ate and laughed til we couldn't eat and laugh any more!

Charlie was a HUGE help in the kitchen as usual - 
especially when it came to cleaning up the dishes! 
Give the boy a stool and some bubbles and you are good to go.

Friday, Josh met up with some old friends to take in an Iowa football game as the ladies (+Charlie) hit some shops. Found a few good deals we couldn't live without and grabbed a quick lunch. Josh met us to scoop up the little one for nap time and we continued on a shopping adventure + cocktails! Such a fun new tradition.

Saturday we had a BIG time with Charlie's sweet friend Landon. We spent a few fun hours at Jumpin' Janes, the local bounce house. Charlie was in heaven! 

Over-stimulation at its finest and he was lovin' every minute. 

Bouncing... playing...running...sliding...riding...shooting... 

You name it these boys did it!

We spent some time with the Habel side on Saturday night and packed up the car to come home on Sunday morning early! The drive is always too long and the trip is always too short! We are thankful for our loving family members and friends in Iowa!


Turkey Lurkey 2001

More Fall Fun + A Favorite Family Recipe

Ok so this week I have decided to add a few new elements to my blog- I feel like there are enough of you out there reading it to share some other things - besides hundreds of pics of the cutest boy you ever did see - that I love, and love to read about on other peoples blogs!! So I am going to incorporate recipes, home decorating tips and maybe even a few of my favorite finds here and there!


This weekend has been a perfect weekend in my eyes - lots of family time at home! Friday night was pizza night - always the best way to kick start my weekend. Saturday was a get it done kind of day - errands run that have been on my list for weeks, Josh was in the yard - laundry caught up and playing hard with Charlie! It was also our anniversary (6 years) so Josh and I headed out to dinner last night to celebrate. 


This morning started pretty early for a Sunday - but let's be honest our Saturday night was far from crazy! So I decided it was a great day for pancakes!! And I got creative too - apple cinnamon pancakes - with granola!!! (See below for recipe) We headed to church and after church we did more yard playing and some crafting for Turkey Day! We are in charge of the place cards, napkin rings and goodie bags! Charlie has A LOT of work ahead! I am relaxing now and then headed down to plan menus for the work week and probably do some baking (my fav)! The weekends are made for doing what it is you LOVE doing - why has it taken me so long to realize this very simple concept???


My mom always made these home made pancakes (still does) - They are really SOOO Easy! And so much more tasty!


2T butter
1 egg
3/4 cup of milk


1cup flour
2t baking powder
2T sugar
1/2 t salt


Melt the butter in a glass measuring cup
Add egg and beat - mix in milk


In a seperate bowl combine the dry ingredients - Mix in the contents of the measuring cup.


Once blended test the pouring consistency with your spoon - you don't want it so thick it's heavy but not to thin either so it's too runny. Once you get it right in the middle pour back into the measuring cup to make it easy to get on your skillet.


Heat your skillet to 350 degrees and dallop about a 1/2 a teaspoon of crisco - let melt and work it around. Then pour your tester - a little bigger than a quarter - let cook on both sides then soak up the grease. Now you are ready to go!


This recipe usually feeds Josh, Charlie and I. In the summer I add blueberries and raspberries. In the fall I add pumpkin and cinnamon and apples. Granola is great too! Just plop whatever add in you would like when you first add the batter to the skillet - that way it isn't too mixed in and will really pop that flavor.

The Christmas presents have begun to arrive-- 

Charlie LOVES the packaging!

Have a GREAT week!