Happy Thanksgiving

On my menu: turkey, stuffing w/ bacon,apples,sage, and caramelized onions, creamed corn, mashed potatoes, spinach salad w/ avocado,bacon, and pomegranate, homemade rolls, chocolate cream pie and pumpkin pie.





I know it's silly, but I wanted to document my first Thanksgiving meal...who knows when it will happen again? :)



Carve it up honey!



Carson being silly at the table.




Mmmm yummy homemade rolls are Logan's favorite!




The boys enjoying the 1st Star Wars movie after their big meal.



In the 11 years that Weston and I have been married we've only missed going home to Oregon for Thanksgiving on two other occasions. The first time was when we were living in Ft. Worth, TX and I wasn't able to get time off from my ultrasound externship. That year was quite depressing as we ending up going out to eat for turkey day...I don't recommend that! The next time was right after we moved to MN and I was 8 months pregnant with Logan and couldn't fly. Luckily that year our friends Ryan and Kelly took pity on my "lack of cooking skills" and invited us over. Kelly let me off easy with just a salad!:) Which brings me to this year. With the economy the way it is we just didn't feel right about spending 2 grand on plane tickets to head home, so I prepared my own Thanksgiving feast for the 1st time ever! It was just the 4 of us which was nice, because there was no stress or pressure in case things didn't turn out that well! Luckily for my family my skills in the kitchen have improved some in the last 11 years. I'm proud to say that everything on my menu turn out just how I'd planned...yay for me!:) It turns out I can cook after all...who knew! There is just something about roasting a turkey that is very intimidating you're 1st time. We missed our families a ton this year, but I'm glad I had this opportunity to "provide" for my little family. I'm even more impressed with my mother-in-law who always hosts every year for no less than 30 people! I have a long ways to go before I'll be up to that level! Now that I've had this experience I hope we are able to make it to Oregon next year! Some things are just better left to the experts (ex. my mom-in-law!)

My thoughts on Twilight...

Here are my thoughts on the movie: **SPOILER WARNING** I wouldn't recommend reading this until after you've seen the movie!

My overall excitement about seeing this movie was pretty much through the roof! However, having said that I went into it knowing it was a VERY low budget film.

Here are the things I didn't like:
1. The special effects were extremely lacking and I was disappointed in Edward's sparkling. My friend Anne summed it up with "He looks like a Christmas ornament!" However, we really can't expect much more for the budget this film had.

2. Which brings me to the meadow scene. It was much too short and severely lacking in any intimacy and sexual tension. There was no conversation, they didn't even touch each other! I mean that chapter in the book is what started it all people! I just didn't feel like it was done justice!

3. The overall pacing of the film seemed extremely fast. It felt like they were trying to cram too much in a 2 hour time slot. I could have done without several of the added scenes (ex. biology field trip) in order to have more time on the pivotal scenes...hello meadow! There wasn't nearly enough character development. They didn't even mention Jasper's abilities and left out his best line: "You're wrong you know..you are worth it!" Bella and Edwards relationship felt much too rushed. If I hadn't read the books I'm sure I would have been like " Are you kidding me...they're already declaring themselves?"

Now on to what I did like:

1. Can we say EYE CANDY!!!! All of the Cullens were beautiful!! I was a little worried about Jasper, but even he was drool worthy! Emmett and Carlisle are down right HOT!! Alice, Esme, and Rosalie were gorgeous. And Edward was PERFECT!! Robert Pattinson really embodied Edward...and those eyes...SEXY!!

2. Charlie was a very pleasant surprise. I thought he nailed the whole awkward father/daughter moments. The scene where Bella has to hurt her father in order for him to let her leave really was heartbreaking.

3. The humans were pretty good also. I just wish they would have developed Angela's character a bit more, because in the movie she is very forgettable, and I loved her in the books!

4. Finally to the most important part. Edward and Bella's chemistry was amazing!! Having read Midnight Sun I could actually feel Edward's pain as he is trying so hard to be close to Bella, yet fight the urge to kill her! As far as the kiss goes I'm not sure I was breathing during that scene. It was so well done. I think it's hands down the best on screen kiss ever! Edward was so hesitant and tender, yet incredibly passionate all at the same time. This alone was worth the price of admission!

So my final thoughts are this: Was it a bit cheesy? Yes. Did I care one bit? NO! I LOVED the books and I LIKED the movie. Here's hoping that this movie makes a ton of money so New Moon can have a budget worthy of making these great books into great movies!

A "Wicked" good night!

Last night we were able to see Wicked on Broadway with our friends Jon, Anne, Boyd, and Kathleen! It was amazing!! I've been dying to see this show for a few years now and it did not disappoint! Not only was the music phenomenal (I highly recommend the soundtrack), but the story was so fun and clever! There were a few fun twists and surprises! I'm so thankful we had this opportunity and even more grateful for a wonderful husband and good friends to share it with!




Anne and I freezing while posing for this picture. I was a little dissapointed Weston didn't get the friendly bum who was serenading us in the pic!




Before the show we had a fabulous dinner at The Capital Grille with Jon and Anne. I think we all agreed that the cheesecake was "heaven on earth." :) We missed you at dinner Boyd and Kathleen!

Three's a Crowd?

Well I have some exciting news....yes you guessed it...we're PREGNANT!!! I've been holding off a bit on announcing this because I was a little worried after our last miscarriage. However, we went to the doctor today and had our first ultrasound and everything looks perfect! I'm a little over 2 months so I'll be due around June 7th. Finally a warm weather baby! We are very excited and feel really blessed that we were able to get pregnant again so easily. So I guess I will soon find out what it feels like to be outnumbered!

Pumpkin Patch Playgroup

Last week we went to Lendt's Pumpkin Patch with a big group of friends from church. All the kids were out of school and we had great sunny weather! We took a hayride out to the patch to pick the perfect pumpkins and then the kids had fun running in the corn fields picking out some indian corn. Afterwards we had lunch in the "spooky forest" and the kids ran around playing hide and seek. Have I mentioned that I LOVE Fall lately? :)




On the hunt for the perfect pumpkin.




Logan finally found one!




Logan, Jack, and Carson on the hayride.




Carson and I enjoying the ride!



Having a blast getting lost in the corn fields!




Nice indian corn Carson!




Logan and Jacob hauling our "picks" back to the car.
It looks like we picked up a cute extra in the field...oh
wait that's just Katie, Jacob's baby sis! :)





Playing hide-and-seek in the spooky forest!

Fall is here!

Yesterday Weston had to make a quick trip to his KFC/A&W in Stillwater so the boys and I decided to tag along. There's a fun place called Sun Country Farm that's right down the street so the boys and I hung out there while Weston got his work done. There's countless cute photo ops, a duck pond, and a pretty big petting zoo. Afterwards we had some yummy rootbeer freezes at the A&W.....it pays to sleep with the owner! HaHa! I just love fall time!



I let the boys pick out spiderweb "spiderman"
pumpkins to decorate their new superhero
bedroom.



Gotta love petting zoos. I wonder if the chickens
know there's a KFC just down the street?









They loved chasing the ducks around...and around...
and around the pond!



Farmer Carson


The "spooky" house.


In front of the world's largest pumpkin.


It's a good thing Ron Weasely isn't around!



They had dozens of these picture boards...these
are just a few we took!

An apple a day keeps the doctor away...

Last week my friend Anne and I took our kids to the Apple Farm. The weather was 80 degrees and sunny so we took advantage....this is rare for fall in Minnesota! It was a fun day and something I like to do with the boys every year. Next up Anne is going to show me how to make an apple pie. I know, I know what kind of ignorant person doesn't know how to make an apple pie? Well it's not one of Weston's favorites, so I've just never attempted it. Plus, she has a handy dandy tool that peels and cores the apples really fast! So I guess Weston is going to have to develop a taste for apple pie soon!



Here's all the kids in the orchard. You try getting
6 kids to all smile and look at the camera at once!




Searching for the perfect apple.




Nice picks boys!




I don't know what it is about goats that kids seem
to enjoy, but this was their favorite part of the day!




Of course you can't go to the apple farm without
visiting the bakery! Our favorite is the apple cider
donuts!