It was a busy week. The house needed some major cleaning. It certainly looks better than it has in a long time.
Colleens family came this year. The first time since ?????? They weren't able to get on the road until Thanksgiving day, so our big dinner wasn't until Saturday. I had thought to have it Friday, but there was the matter of the Nebraska - Colorado game. Just can't cook, have a house full of kids and a game at the same time.
Due to lack of oven space I had to use my Hamilton counter top roaster. Only the second time I have used it. First time was ok. Didn't like it as well as oven roasted. This time I really didn't like it. I had a 22lb. bird and from the minute I turned the roaster on it sounded like it was frying the bird, not roasting it. It cooked in record time, but any dressing touching the pan burned. I just finished cleaning the pan yesterday afternoon. I would scrape a while, put fresh water in it and let it soak until time to scour again. No idea how many times I did that. I am calling it good and putting it away! (Until Christmas.)
All went well and the girls helped get everything on the table. The carving job has officially been handed down to Dan, who I might say, did an excellent job.
I added a cake to the desserts this year, as Colleen had just had a birthday. Denny helped and we managed to get ALL those candles lit before the first ones melted away. Looked more like a bon fire than a birthday cake. Don't know why the smoke alarms didn't go off. Maybe because we had the doors open. The kids loved it.
The kids had a blast playing. No fights. Peyton even managed to keep up and fit in. He is the youngest but wasn't about to be left out.
While we were all gathered here, Shannon and Kevin were busy moving into their new home. First one ever, and I do mean new! It looks like a nice house and I can't wait to see it. After years of base housing and small apartments, they deserve it!
Everyone is home safely now. Casey followed Ken and Collen back to Michigan for a few days vacation. Everything is put away.
Next: Christmas.
