Thanksgiving 2009

Because of the tight school schedule (and the fact that flying anywhere to visit family would cost Brian and me our first-born son), we decided to stay local for Thanksgiving. Instead, we invited my sister Shanna and her kids down from Sacramento for the weekend. We also invited my other sisters but no body could make the trip.

And then as a fabulous Thanksgiving surprise: Angel drove from Utah via a midnight bus ride to complete the holiday splendor. She called when she was only an hour away from LA! It was a complete surprise. The best I've had all year!


Now we had a full house! We made do with the sleeping supplies in the house. Thankfully we had almost enough beds so only one person had to sleep on the couch.

Here we are setting up the nest for everyone.

Mariah liked the air mattresses.

Then the cooking started. We had much to do (I'm a nerd and made a schedule)! The Pratt family traditions: cornbread stuffing, crescent rolls, greens, and LOTS of pie!

Here are the beloved rolls. They are so sacred, we reserve to making them only once or twice a year. Of course everyone sneaks into them and stashes them around the house (I did both!). I found a stash even behind the Christmas tree!

Glorious greens.

Our famous cornbread stuffing, superior to any other.

Desserts I made: cherry, apple and pumpkin pies and cheesecake

Dessert Brian made: chocolate peanut butter pie (a new holiday hit)

Our rule for pie quantities for Thanksgiving generally coincides with how many guests are expected. In other words, a pie a person!

While the food was *preparing itself*, everyone else bided time by doing various activities.

Of course football was involved.

We even did iChat with everyone in Oregon, so it was like we all were together.

Brian carved the bird and then we were ready to eat!

Thanksgiving 2009 was a holiday to remember. Thank you for being part of it!