East Coast Thanksgiving!

We had the best Thanksgiving weekend! We were lucky enough to have some of our UCLA family come to CT, the Lees from NYC, and Pooles from Richmond.

THE FIREWe had a fire every night starting Wednesday night, this is the first one. It was so nice to just relax in our house instead of frantically working on it.

THE FOOD

Jared was brave enough to tackle the 21 lb turkey and it was wonderful. By the way if you were wondering how many dentists it takes to carve a turkey the answer is 3 plus 1 YouTube video, but didn't they do a great job?The ladies took on the rest of the meal. Ashley was true to her Idaho roots and made great potatoes, and added our cranberry something with some great jellos. Ashley was also the queen of keeping the kitchen clean during the process and creating our beautiful table.Debi whipped up an apple pie from scratch, cheese and all, just for Morris. Debi also made some great rolls from a 'secret' family recipe, a salad, and green beans.I made pies of a few varieties-chocolate, blueberry meringue, and pumpkin cheesecake- and the sweet potatoes.

The boys were able to go to a Turkey Bowl while we were in the kitchen.
THE FRIENDS

We feel so blessed to have such good friends, that feel just like family to us.The LeesThe PoolesWyatt was hanging around helping and waitingApparently the tryptophan in the turkey worked on somebody.
THE FUN

The ladies planning for Black Friday. We were a total success getting every door buster we set out for only leaving at 4:45 am.We went duck bowling.We found the Avery Soda factory where you can bottle your own soda, we were a little late to make our own, but we were still able to enjoy the product of others and we have something to look forward to next time. We also tried to make it to the State Capitol called the 'ugliest, beautiful building', but it was closed.We just enjoyed being together. It was so good for me to have everyone in our home, it feels empty with everyone gone. Hopefully we can repeat the festivities next year.

That is the end of the summary of events and you are not obligated to read on as now I am going to list a few things that I am grateful for.

I have so much to be grateful for this year. I will not lie it has been a really hard year for our family, but it has also been a really happy one. I am grateful that we matched at a program this year. I am especially grateful for what I feel was divine intervention that matched us at UCONN. I did not see it at first, but now I can see exactly why my family was sent here and I am so grateful to the Lord for taking the reins on that. I am grateful that Rick passed the USMLE, it consumed a large portion of our year and we are so grateful for the miracle it was that he passed. I am grateful for the time we had at UCLA and that Rick graduated this year. I am grateful for Rick in general and all the hard work he does to provide for our family. I am grateful for our home, it feels like a home and I love everything about it. I am grateful for the Gospel and the church organization, I do not know how people can move across the country without it. I am grateful for family. I have amazing parents and in laws that are very supportive. I am grateful for good friends that feel like family. I am grateful for Wyatt, he is an amazing little boy, and it has been a great blessing to be his mother.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!