Family time

We've had some great time with family lately so I thought I would share a few pictures...

Grandpa Mac and Jeremiah

Joshua and Grandma Mac


Jeremiah and Marshall

Grandma Mo helps Joshua pet Marshall

Wesley and Jeremiah

Welcome to our Thanksgiving!

I know this is super late but between company, shopping, runny noses and laundry, this is the first chance I have had to write about our Thanksgiving!

Thanks to my wonderful friend Christine, I had everything except the sweet potatoes chopped and ready to go the day before. I made the jello salad ahead of time as well (which didn't end up helping me since I read the recipe wrong!). I also made my napkin rings and wreath Wednesday, so all I had to do on Thursday was put the food together.

I had a stressful Thanksgiving morning - dealing with the turkey, the jello wasn't setting - until my wonderful husband surprised me with a white chocolate mocha from Starbucks and everything was right with the world :) He also took Jeremiah with him for the morning and Joshua took a nap so getting ready was a lot easier.

The side dishes were so easy to put together in the crock pots. The turkey was quite an adventure - I'm just glad nobody has any film of me dealing with that thing. By 10:30, the table was set and everything was cooking and I was feeling pretty good - except about the jello. Always make sure you check the number of ounces the recipe calls for - 1 3-0z. package of gelatin does not work the same as 1 6-oz. package! And adding more the next day is not the same :)

Stephen's parents arrived around 11:30 and we had pumpkin smoothies and a veggie tray while we waited for the turkey to be done.

Despite the stress of the morning, everything turned out delicious - even the recipes I had never tried! The sweet potatoes were so yummy... and the stuffing had just enough spice and crunchiness (is that a word?) for me. The jello tasted great after a while in the freezer (that will make it set!). Stephen's parents brought delicious rolls and the yummiest Caramel Apple Pie.

And the turkey...I actually roasted a wild turkey and it turned out well! We had plenty of meat and it was moist and delicious. It was my first time roasting one and Stephen's first time carving one and I am pretty darn proud of us! A big thanks again to Darcy and Donna for the turkey and recipe!

I would call our first Thanksgiving at home a big success. I hope you all had a blessed Thanksgiving as well! Let me know how your holiday went!

"Black Friday" Poll

My answer right now is we will probably go shopping on Black Friday, but you never can tell with a toddler and a baby. I can tell you one thing - I will NOT be at any store at 4, 5, or even 6 a.m. Even if my children are awake.

The Shack

Read it. That's all I can or will say. Visit The Shack for more info. Talk to me about it when you're done.

Have any book recommendations for me?

Med School Update - 11/08

13 weeks of med school down...4 to go until Christmas! Still too many to count until being done!

Stephen did very well in his first core of classes, finishing in the top 30% of his class. Anatomy did not start out as one of his favorite classes but he would prefer that to what he has now - up to four hours of lecture at a time!

His courses now are about cellular processes. I am amazed at how much information is presented to them in such a short period of time and even more so at how much they can retain. I guess that is why Stephen was called to be a doctor and not me!

He is still commuting every day but not minding that too much. We're saying our prayers that the weather continues to be nice as long as possible.

We are blessed to see Stephen as much as we do - he leaves every morning around 6:40 a.m. and is home by 5:45 p.m. I have heard many horror stories of students studying 8+ hours a day and we are so glad he is an efficient student :) He and his study group do an awesome job of making family a top priority. Jeremiah loves his time to play trains, blocks and chase with Daddy and we eat dinner together every night.

After his first test for the new core this weekend, we are all looking forward to a "short week." Oh, and I think he is a little excited to go the Nebraska-Colorado game with his dad on Friday. I have to say, I'm a little jealous, but we'll do some shopping and take a nap and I'll be just fine!

Thanksgiving Plans Poll

I love to hear what people are doing for the holidays so please post what you are doing after you answer the poll!

I am hosting Thanksgiving for the first time this year! I am so excited! Stephen's parents will be here with us - a small gathering but very significant to me nonetheless!

I might be going a little overboard on the food, but I don't know when I'll get to host again so I want to try it all! I will post my menu as soon as it is finalized!

If you are hosting, I would love to know what your menu looks like! Also, I love to hear family traditions so share your favorites!

Happy 80th Birthday Grandma!

Today is my grandma's 80th birthday and, even though she doesn't own a computer, I want to wish her a very blessed birthday! She would probably kill me if she knew I was putting her picture up here, but 80 years is definitely reason to celebrate!

So Grandma, thanks for all the love and laughter over the years. We wish we could be there to help you celebrate. Have a great day, but stay out of the ice and snow - that means you too, Grandpa! See you at Christmas! Love you guys!