What better way to celebrate my absolute FAVORITE holiday than to post a Thanksgiving Meme!  Feel free to rip off and use yourself.

1. Which do you like better: hosting Thanksgiving at your home, or going elsewhere?

If I had a bigger place, I would totally love to host Thanksgiving.  Most of my adult years have been helping both my mom and dad plan the days at each of their homes.  I love planning, so I was all over that!

2. Do you buy a fresh or frozen turkey? Organic? Free-range?

We usually get a frozen bird and go from there.  I have never actually had to make the turkey myself (knock on wood) and am dodging the bullet again this year!

3. Do you make stuffing or dressing? What kind?

I really don’t know the difference, but we always call it stuffing at our house.  Last year my stepdad made a really spicy stuffing with jalapenos I think.  I had just a little because it really had bite!

4. Sweet potato pie or pumpkin pie?

Pumpkin all the way! I used to make it as a teenager and into my 20s, but now we usually end up with one from Costco or Marie Callendars.  Yum.

5. Are leftovers a blessing or a curse?

Blessing!  We all take some home, and it makes for great breakfast, lunch AND dinner the next day!

6. What side dishes are a must-have in your family?

Stuffing and Mashed Potatoes/Gravy.  We never do the green bean casserole thing. 

7. What do you wish you had that might make Thanksgiving easier?

A big house!

8. If/when you go to someone else’s house for the holiday, do you usually bring a dish? If so, what is it?

I am usually in charge of appetizers and drinks.  We love cream cheese stuffed celery, and I like to make a sparkling cranberry punch too.

9. What do you wish one of your guests would bring to your house?

A new great dish I’ve never tried!

10. What do you wish one of your guests would NOT bring to your house?

Attitude!

11. Do you stick with a particular menu from year to year, or do you mix it up?

For the most part, we have the same thing every year.  And I’m perfectly fine with that!

12. Is Thanksgiving a religious or secular holiday in your home?

Neither!  Sometimes we say what we’re thankful for, other times, we just dig in.  The guys watch football (but not MY husband!) and the girls cook and hang out.  It is always very informal and we have a great time.

13. Share one Thanksgiving tradition.

Growing up, my Grandpa would give out Turkey of the Year Awards.  Everyone would vote for whoever was the biggest dingleberry each year.

14. Share one Thanksgiving memory.

One year, my cousin Phil decided to run for Turkey of the Year, and campaigned the whole day.  It was really funny.

15. Name five things you’re thankful for.

My loving husband who adores me, crazy kids who test my patience every day, generous parents who never let us down, fabulous friends who put up with my shenanigans, and my faith.

Meme stolen from http://www.columbusfoodie.com/category/meme/, who stole it from someone else, who stole it from someone else… etc.

Here are some pix of the kiddos… K is now 5, G is almost 2 and N is now 18 months… getting SO big!!

• We went on a little vacation last week to Oregon.  Visited two aunts, went to the Enchanted Forest, Prehistoric Gardens and Gold Beach.  Had a great time.

• Andrew performed a magic show for Katie’s birthday party and the kids loved it!

• I took the Joann’s sewing class and made this pillowcase… then I finally made the dress for Katie.  Let me know what you think!

• Katie finished her swim classes and will be starting gymnastics at the end of this month.
• Grant is trying so hard to talk… a few words he’s yelling at me: BABY, HERE! and MAAAAAAA!
• Baby is getting big (3 months already)
• We are all sick.

My new hobby?? Sewing!  Last time I used a sewing machine was in 7th grade home ec, so I am looking forward to learning something new.  My mom has an old (80s) machine that she is going to give me this week.  I also signed up for some classes at Joann’s for next month.  Yesterday, while running errands, I stopped by there and spent two whole hours (I only had the baby with me, so I was virtually uninterrupted) just looking at the materials.  FUN!  My first class project will be a pillowcase.  I found some cute fabric and will make this for Katie.  I’ll post a picture when I complete the project. 

I’m looking forward to making things for the kids, and also for my husband’s magic endeavors.  I downloaded this darling pattern off of etsy to make dresses for the girls.  What do you think??

Here is a photo from Easter… aren’t they cute?

Kids are doing great and I am finally getting into the swing of things. 

Speaking of swings – I borrowed swings for my last two kids (then gave them back), so I didn’t have one for Natalie.  This kid NEEDED a swing… she hates the vibrating chair, and was not too keen on the bouncer we were given.  I had a hookup that ended up not working out.   Yesterday I went on Craigslist and was able to find the exact one I was looking for.  They were going for about $80, but then I found someone the next city over who was selling hers for only $40!  We rushed up and got it, and let me tell you, it is a Godsend.  Baby is happy and quiet and I’m actually getting a few things done today.

I’ve been reading up on all of you with my Google Reader, but don’t always have a chance to comment.  Hopefully that will change.

Have a great day!

More later…

Dove shampoo $4.00 (-1.50 coupon)
Dove conditioner $4.00 (-1.50 coupon)
Dove Lotion $7.00 (-1.50 coupon)
Egg Dye Kit $2.99
Candy Bar $.89
Candy Bar $.89

SubTotal $19.77
Less $5.00 coupon (buy $15, get $5 off – printed on my receipt the other day)
Less $4.99 ECB from last purchase
Less $5.00 ECB from last purchase
Less the Dove coupons above ($4.50)

Subtotal $.28
Tax $.23
TOTAL = $.51 Yes, that’s all I spent out of pocket.
Not only that, I got $5.00 ECB’s back for next time for purchasing $15.00 worth of Dove products.

Just wanted to let you all know that it CAN work to your advantage!

• Sleeping on my stomach again
• Eating any kind of cheese I want without checking to see if it’s pasteurized
• Getting rid of all these maternity clothes (I got some secondhand for free, for which I can’t complain, BUT most of them were not my style or WAY too large for me) and getting back into my ‘old’ stuff.
• The strawberry daiquiri that has been calling my name
• No more heartburn (besides the kind that comes with the occasional Mexican food)
• Going on the rides at Knotts instead of sitting them out.  (Just once on the Log Ride would be nice!)
• Putting the steering wheel back to it’s normal place
• Seeing my feet

26 more days!!!