I was up by 7:20am feeling pretty good even after staying up late watching football. I made quick work of my routine in hopes of getting an early start on my run and ultimately on our TG dinner prep. In hindsight, I wished I had prepped the turkey and stuffing concoction the night before. I didn’t because we needed a foil roasting pan big enough for the turkey and failed to get one while we were out shopping. No sense crying over what’s in the past!
After my walk with Ykraps I quickly readied for a run. I left earlier than usual by 30 minutes. It was a beautiful run under cool, sunny skies. I was back by 9:07am. By 9:30am I had already showered and was heading out the door to pick-up a few things at Wal-Mart, including a foil roasting pan.
I grabbed the few grocery items we needed and then cruised the perimeter of the store searching out foil roasting pans. I was cursing under my breath because I couldn’t find an employee to assist, but that’s Wal-Mart! Finally, after getting a little hot under the collar I found them in the kitchen accessories. In addition to the roasting pan, I bought a folding table to help facilitate dinner guests. A point of interest -the store was barren at such an early hour. Note to self!
I was back home by 10:15am prepping our dinner. I’ve done this a number of times so I knew what had to be done. I had the bird supremely stuffed and in the oven by 10:45am. If things went as planned, the bird would come out at 3pm – the expected arrival time of our guests. Beautiful!
Mindy whipped up green beans and the mashed potato recipe we got from her brother. The team work made a big difference. Mindy also contacted Shelly to arrange Kaileigh’s attendance. That made me very happy. Lindsey phoned early on asking if Lil’ Rocky could come early. Mindy agreed provided Lindsey brought him over since we were busy cooking and cleaning.
Once Rocky arrived, he kept Bella occupied most of the early afternoon. It was only marginally rowdy with the three kids. Lindsey phoned later in the afternoon to let us know that she wouldn’t be coming after all. Geesh! We chose not to fret over who wasn’t coming and instead focused our energy on who was.
My dad was the first to arrive. But not long after Ashley, Landon, and Olivia showed up. And while we were helping her carry in the babies my mom showed up too. And once everyone was settled Kaileigh arrived marking the very first time that all four of my grandchildren were gathered together at my home. It was loud and a bit hectic but comforting just the same. I know that they need me. I only wish that Courtney and Lindsey would’ve been able to make it. But again, I’m not one to fret over who isn’t present so we moved on.
After my walk with Ykraps I quickly readied for a run. I left earlier than usual by 30 minutes. It was a beautiful run under cool, sunny skies. I was back by 9:07am. By 9:30am I had already showered and was heading out the door to pick-up a few things at Wal-Mart, including a foil roasting pan.
I grabbed the few grocery items we needed and then cruised the perimeter of the store searching out foil roasting pans. I was cursing under my breath because I couldn’t find an employee to assist, but that’s Wal-Mart! Finally, after getting a little hot under the collar I found them in the kitchen accessories. In addition to the roasting pan, I bought a folding table to help facilitate dinner guests. A point of interest -the store was barren at such an early hour. Note to self!
I was back home by 10:15am prepping our dinner. I’ve done this a number of times so I knew what had to be done. I had the bird supremely stuffed and in the oven by 10:45am. If things went as planned, the bird would come out at 3pm – the expected arrival time of our guests. Beautiful!
Mindy whipped up green beans and the mashed potato recipe we got from her brother. The team work made a big difference. Mindy also contacted Shelly to arrange Kaileigh’s attendance. That made me very happy. Lindsey phoned early on asking if Lil’ Rocky could come early. Mindy agreed provided Lindsey brought him over since we were busy cooking and cleaning.
Once Rocky arrived, he kept Bella occupied most of the early afternoon. It was only marginally rowdy with the three kids. Lindsey phoned later in the afternoon to let us know that she wouldn’t be coming after all. Geesh! We chose not to fret over who wasn’t coming and instead focused our energy on who was.
My dad was the first to arrive. But not long after Ashley, Landon, and Olivia showed up. And while we were helping her carry in the babies my mom showed up too. And once everyone was settled Kaileigh arrived marking the very first time that all four of my grandchildren were gathered together at my home. It was loud and a bit hectic but comforting just the same. I know that they need me. I only wish that Courtney and Lindsey would’ve been able to make it. But again, I’m not one to fret over who isn’t present so we moved on.
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Mindy was instrumental in pulling this gathering together with some semblance of order. I couldn’t have done it without her. Bless her! Dinner went without a hitch and all the fixins’ were top notch save for the jarred gravy. :) I reserved the turkey drippings but didn’t take the time to make scratch gravy. After our meal, Mindy & I teamed up on clean-up which went fairly quickly. At the same time we had to help with the little ones as Ashley was being overwhelmed. Dad & Jacob played together. Jacob’s taken quite a liking to him. I couldn't help but notice that my mom didn’t interact much with anyone, not even Ashley. She kept largely to herself. But I was just appreciative to have both my parents around for the holiday. I’ll have to talk to mom about interacting more, however. Mom!!
We enjoyed dessert about 30 minutes later - pumpkin pie & cheesecake. Mindy got out our wedding photos, too. Apparently my dad hadn’t yet seen them. If he had, he’d already forgotten. :) Before everyone departed, I showed dad the basement plans. Ashley left with the little ones first. She & her mother planned a Bingo outing for later. When Shelly arrived to pick-up Kai, she asked if she could spend the night. I was more than happy to have her overnight. Shelly agreed!
Mom departed about ten minutes before dad. We asked her to stay the night but she refused. We quipped that she could stay at dad’s house. Dad left next leaving us to wonder if in fact my mom did stray to his place after all. I mean, my mom never drives in the dark, especially 80-90 miles. Mindy and I talked about it later, both wondering the same thing. We planned to call my mom’s house at 9:30pm to check on her.
Mindy got all three kids (Jacob, Bella, Kaileigh) a bath and then ready for bed. They watched a movie for a while before Mindy declared bedtime. The girls chose to sleep together in the guest room but weren’t in bed long before declaring that they were ill – sore throats then a tummy ache. Honestly, though, Kaileigh doesn’t have a structured bedtime like we enforce with Jacob and Bella. It’s apparent that she often stays up late watching TV with Shelly. I noticed this over the past few years when she stays with me/us. Her illness magically lifted when we allowed them back downstairs with us. However, when Mindy attempted to declare a 2nd bedtime Kai again complained of a tummy ache. She asked to call Shelly. I dialed the number and Shelly agreed to come fetch her. Bella was extremely upset that Kaileigh was leaving. Apparently Kaileigh hadn’t been home in three nights. She was suddenly better once she knew Shelly was coming to get her. That at least made me happy. Shelly soon arrived and took Kaileigh home. Mindy went to bed early while I stayed up watching football.
We enjoyed dessert about 30 minutes later - pumpkin pie & cheesecake. Mindy got out our wedding photos, too. Apparently my dad hadn’t yet seen them. If he had, he’d already forgotten. :) Before everyone departed, I showed dad the basement plans. Ashley left with the little ones first. She & her mother planned a Bingo outing for later. When Shelly arrived to pick-up Kai, she asked if she could spend the night. I was more than happy to have her overnight. Shelly agreed!
Mom departed about ten minutes before dad. We asked her to stay the night but she refused. We quipped that she could stay at dad’s house. Dad left next leaving us to wonder if in fact my mom did stray to his place after all. I mean, my mom never drives in the dark, especially 80-90 miles. Mindy and I talked about it later, both wondering the same thing. We planned to call my mom’s house at 9:30pm to check on her.
Mindy got all three kids (Jacob, Bella, Kaileigh) a bath and then ready for bed. They watched a movie for a while before Mindy declared bedtime. The girls chose to sleep together in the guest room but weren’t in bed long before declaring that they were ill – sore throats then a tummy ache. Honestly, though, Kaileigh doesn’t have a structured bedtime like we enforce with Jacob and Bella. It’s apparent that she often stays up late watching TV with Shelly. I noticed this over the past few years when she stays with me/us. Her illness magically lifted when we allowed them back downstairs with us. However, when Mindy attempted to declare a 2nd bedtime Kai again complained of a tummy ache. She asked to call Shelly. I dialed the number and Shelly agreed to come fetch her. Bella was extremely upset that Kaileigh was leaving. Apparently Kaileigh hadn’t been home in three nights. She was suddenly better once she knew Shelly was coming to get her. That at least made me happy. Shelly soon arrived and took Kaileigh home. Mindy went to bed early while I stayed up watching football.
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