Is it too late for a Christmas wrap-up?

I have been off work since December 23rd, and while I haven't just sat around the house, I haven't been especially busy either. So ye old blog has been neglected. I do have some pretty great Christmas photos to share with you though. We were so blessed by our family with wonderful gifts again this year. Dylan LOVED opening presents, writing a "letter" to Santa, leaving out milk and cookies and opening what Santa brought on Christmas morning. We also had lots of great food and had visitors from Iowa for a few days.

Here's the re-cap:

Dylan came to work with Dave on the 23rd, he had lots of fun helping set up the range and hitting golf balls. But he also came down with a fever, so around lunchtime I picked him up and we headed home. 

The most delicious peppermint bark ever. So wonderful I made it twice! I gave it to our friends in their Christmas goodies and made another batch for our family. 

Dylan seemed to be feeling better on Christmas Eve so we did some yard work in the morning since it was  such a nice day. His fever came back though during his nap so we decided to wait and go to church on Christmas morning. 

As you can see he started to feel better when it was time to open presents! But first he helped Dave start a fire in the fireplace. 

Dylan's 2011 ornament from daycare.

Girl, our elf on the shelf in her last spot of the year!

Dylan and his stack of presents. Nice pants huh, he put them on after his nap when he wasn't feeling good.  Oh well, at least they match his shirt!

A monkey pillow pet!

Dad got new running shoes...

Mom got a cookbook stand

Dylan modeling his ISU jersey on his new Cars mat getting ready to put on his Cowboy boot slippers!

Prime rib for Christmas Dinner!

Done writing a letter to Santa

Christmas Dinner, Duchess potatoes, prime rib and green bean casserole with crispy shallots, yum!

Santa brought Dylan a train table! Grandpa Dave also visited Christmas week and brought Dylan more trains for his table!

Grandma Carolyn and Granny B came to our house on Christmas Day and we opened more presents! Dylan got this great cape and mask from his cousins in Minnesota!

Grandma Carolyn opening one of her presents.

We had our traditional Christmas Eve dinner on Christmas Day since Granny B and Carolyn were visiting. It's Cedar Plank Salmon, roasted asparagus and wild rice. Dessert is Chocolate raspberry torte cake. 

Kobe and Peek-a-boo worn out after a long week. I can't believe they are sitting this close!

Perfect weather today to shoot off the rocket from Kyle and Amie!

The Thanksgiving that was

It started bright and early at 5:30am with Dylan at my bedside ready to start the day. I intended to walk him downstairs, get him breakfast and then go back to bed until a reasonable hour, but Dave was up just before 6am to get ready for the Turkey Trot so I figured I should stay up and start getting ready for the day. Dylan and I had planned on leaving our house by 7:30am to watch Dave run the second half of the race and finish anyway.  So I made the apple cream cheese danish, which turned out awesome and got Dylan and I ready to go to the race. Boy, was it cold outside! Luckily we were able to park close to a prime viewing location to see Dave, talk to Andrew and then head back to the Jeep to warm up for 15 minutes before heading over to the finish.

Apple Cream Cheese Danish

 Then my Jeep wouldn't start...so Dylan and I headed back over to the finish area and found Dave and Andrew so they could hopefully get my Jeep started. After popping the hood and cleaning off the corrosion on the battery with a little water it started right up! (Only to die again multiple times over the weekend, Dave finally cut the wires and re-attached them to the connectors (I am not a mechanic, I don't know what they are really called) and now we are good to go!). Luckily that little hiccup didn't delay the start of my Thanksgiving food prep!

I started with putting the turkey in the oven at 10:30am (just as my Dad and Step mom arrived)

and made the scalloped corn casserole, stuffing, and green bean casserole starting about 11am.

Then it was on to peeling 5 lbs of Yukon gold potatoes and boiling them for the mashed potatoes (best ones yet!) before I knew it the turkey, stuffing and green bean casserole were done and I was putting the crescent rolls in the oven and making the gravy. 

As much as I prepare and prep it always seems a little chaotic when everything is coming out of the oven and finishing at once!

Carving the turkey

Way too much food for 4 people to eat!

Dave's plate

Pepper was disappointed there was no turkey for her

Dad and Dave relaxing after filling their bellies.

Seriously, no turkey for me?

The awesome Pumpkin Gingersnap Cheesecake. Make this now!

The fancy shot, photo credit to Dave ;)

Even Dylan liked the Pumpkin Cheesecake

Playing soccer with Grandpa