Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving this year was a bit different than years past.  Not only were we going to try and make all the food 100% healthy, and "Christian approved," but my back was completely thrown out, so I was in no way able to help with putting stuff in or getting stuff out of the oven.  I spent most of the day laying on the couch, icing on and off, and telling Christian what to work on and in what order!  He and the kids were amazing at ALL of it!  

The boys LOVED helping with the rolls!  We did it in a bundt just for fun!

Jaden was an amazing helper!  He folded so much laundry for me, and even put it away!  What a guy!

The boys were loving all the extra time with daddy!

We couldn't have planned all the food any better.  Here's Beckam waiting for another piece of turkey as Christian was carving it.  He'd barely get it in his mouth before he was signing and saying more!  Like a baby bird waiting for his next worm :)

Our Wild Rice Pilaf turned out amazing!  New tradition for sure!

The 100% Whole Wheat honey rolls were the best rolls I've ever had!

The turkey was perfect!  And look at all that juice!  Made AMAZING gravy by only adding cornstarch and water!

What a feast!

Jaden wanted me to take a picture of him enjoying his feast!

Several pictures! :)

What a goof!

When Beckam was done he headed to the toy room. 

He was so careful about what guys were allowed to join the line up.  He'd pick one out of the box, look at it for a bit, then either put it back in the box...

...or add it to the line up!

He even "counted" them. :) (Pointed and babbled)

Jaden read our traditional story, Nathan's Gratitude, while Kyler got to hold the pictures!  Both were happy!

And what would Thanksgiving Day be without some football!?

Our pumpkin pie turned out AMAZING!!!  

We even made some homemade pumpkin ice cream that Christian was able to enjoy!  No, he didn't have the pecan pie.  We made this from a Jaden request.  He asked what pecan pie was after reading Pecan Pie Baby at school, (Cute book) and picking up fresh pecans in a neighbors yard.  (They actually let us pick up a TON, 2 huge grocery bags worth!) But EVERYTHING else was 100% Christian approved. (no refined sugars or flours :) All the recipes are up on my food blog. (www.melsgoodfood.blogspot.com)

Also wanted to record what everyone's 7 corn kernels (Thankfuls) were:
Beckam:
food, ball, bear, baby sign, brothers, birds, books and toys
Kyler:
family, workers that build our buildings, Jesus-made our world, Mommy-since I love her, baby brother and friends to play with, sins (yes, that's what he said), store-for good healthy food to make our bodies strong.
Jaden:
Jesus-for making food and our bodies, sewers that sew our pants so we have clothes for school (Probably an idea that came from another book from school- Levi Strauss Gets a Bright Idea: a fairly fabricated story of a pair of pants), Dad and Mom making this great feast, myself for helping mom when her back needs to rest, friends I've made here, when I get baptized to wash my sins away, going to church to sing hymns and learn.
Mel:
Family, sports-so I can watch my boys learn and play them, books-to read to the boys as well as the Book of Mormon, cooking-I love it!, Our bodies-especially when they are working well, Christian, this neighborhood in Houston.
Christian:
Houston-what a blessing it's been to be here, scriptures-love listening to them every morning, colors and art-they remind me of Oma and Opa, inspiration and the Holy Ghost, the atonement, my 3 boys, Mel.

Happy Thanksgiving!