Thanksgiving Day 2013

Our little family celebrated Thanksgiving Day 2013 with just the 6 of us at home.  Although we really love celebrating with our big, loud extended family, spending our Turkey Day at home was nice.  The kiddos and I all got up early to start cooking.  Our first order of business was to cook our bird.  I bought a turkey breast and cooked it in our crock pot, just like I do a whole chicken.  It was my first time to attempt a turkey, so I was pretty nervous.  I can make a mean ham, but I worried all day as to how the turkey would turn out.  It actually turned out pretty good!

Payton and Karsyn were my main little kitchen helpers.  Evan and Addi found the Santa Channel on TV, so they were busy playing games and singing Christmas Karaoke.  It was a very pleasant surprise how much Karsyn helped.  If Payton and I were in the kitchen, Karsyn was there right beside us working away in her little apron.  I handed her a butter knife so that she could help us dice potatoes and that made her so happy.  She started singing Jingle Bells as she worked.  Every time I gave her a peeled potato, she would say, "Thank you for my treasure!"  And then there's my Payton, she is an amazing helper!  She absolutely loved every second that we spent in the kitchen together and so did I. She works so hard and is such a great cook!  She thinks of all the little details and tries to put special touches on everything. Cooking with my girls is such a blessing!  I enjoy it so much.

Regretfully, I didn't take many pictures.  Trying to cook with many little helpers is fun, but it's a total hands on experience.  When I didn't need Payton's help cooking, she was busy in her bedroom making decorations for dinner. She worked very hard to set a pretty table for us.

And here's a look at all the yummy food that we worked so hard to make.

Evan's deviled eggs didn't do so well in the fridge over night and he was very upset that we weren't able to serve them.  Poor little guy!  While we were eating, we all talked about the things we are so very thankful for. I loved hearing what Jason and the kiddos had to say.  It was so sweet.

After dinner, the kids enjoyed watching the Peanuts Thanksgiving special. Does our living room look like a day care much? ha!

Celebrating Thanksgiving at home was fun and very laid back.  I love that our fridge is filled with lots of yummy lefts overs.  I've gained a new appreciation for our dishwasher... I ran it 4 times today! I really hope each of you had a blessed Thanksgiving!!!!