Turkeys and Trees

Thanksgiving was nice and calm this year for the most part. I remember Thanksgivings not too long ago that put stress in my heart and caused anxiety within my personal life. It's so nice to be with a loving and fun man that enjoys traditions and holidays like I do.
This year, Sharon asked that I make a dish that's a tradition of my family each year. For some reason unbeknownst to me, my family loves my mother's shrimp salad. I act confused because I don't think my family has ever focused on sea food at any other time but in this salad on this holiday... Anywho, so I made it. This was my first time making it and I found out my mother uses Miracle Whip for the dressing part. When I discovered this fact, I made the adjustment for the Esau side to be Mayo as they prefer it to Miracle Whip. I never thought the issue of a dressing could bring such controversy from my family....Soon all I was hearing is, ew, it's not going to be right, or "so how was it? A bit off right?..." --lovely-- As it happens, the Esaus liked the salad and I have adopted the recipe for ages to come. Take that opinionated parents!! My rebellion knows no bounds!!!!

The Spread!

So the night before Thanksgiving, Jessica decided she wanted to sleep in curlers. When we got up in the morning and did her hair, she wanted pictures taken cause she felt like a diva princess. (am I sure she's not my biological daughter?.....lol)

So here's her posed shots:

So funny. I love this girl. Mitchell also wanted to be in on the photo shoot. He was still in his Jammies though.

I like the chaos of Holidays. I'm not completely sure if this is considered weird, but the "hustle and bustle" is something I grew up with. Like a nostalgic warmth from my childhood that makes me feel at home.
In the Anderson house, we had mom in the kitchen making pies, turkey, salads and such, the parade on in the morning, the game on in the afternoon, dad working on putting the lights on the christmas tree which we decorate later (Anderson family Thanksgiving tradition to ring in the christmas season) and all six kids finding some way to argue, play, run, play music, shout or break something. *breathe in deep* ah...the good ol' days. :)

This year, Rachel, Nicole, Sharon and I worked on salads, listening to christmas music, Matt, Owen and Aaron were down in the "man cave" watching the game whilst the chillins napped, played computer, then ran around doin all sorts of stuff and making that wonderful chaotic noise I call home sweet home.

Later in the weekend, the kids and I decorated for Christmas. Jessica took on my old tradition of wearing the tree skirt as a princess dress and Mitchell ran around in his army undies cause potty training has taking it's toll of clean pants in this house :(

Playing in Daddy's shoes....who does this look like? hmmm....

So the Angel might overwhelm the tree....so? SO?!!

I think this tree is going through puberty. Not quite an adult yet, but it's getting there...

And to top it all off....Jessica FINALLY lost her front tooth. (this thing was dangling on a string for way too long!!). Daddy may or may not have convinced her to push it out with her tongue where he proceeded to flick it with his hand which popped it out and sent it flying. Once Jessica decided whether she was going to cry from trauma or laugh with delight that it popped out (the laughing won over) she made daddy text the toothfairy so she would know to come get her tooth. Wow, what a day and age we live in. Dude, I'm getting old....

                                                                           Crazy girl