Stephen's Birthday

If I may say so, Stephen had an absolutely FABULOUS birthday. We were still at my parents' house after Thanksgiving. That day we woke up super early, packed the cooler and the car and headed off to go fishing for the day. Yes. All of us. Ava and my mom included ;) We rented a pontoon for the day and went out fishing.

Stephen, Eric and my Dad all did very well. Tj caught a fish or two, and I got a few, including a couple that broke the lures completely off the line. Sadly.

Here are some pictures!!

Stephen's first fish of the day. This is an ironic picture. Note: irony in the smile despite the very small fish...

Yummy, huh? The fish swallowed the lure.

This was towards the end of the day, on the way back in. We followed the birds and caught lots of fish.

Another of Stephen's fish.

Here's Eric with one of the fish he caught. He out-fished all of us, but also has a bit more experience...cheater.

After fishing we went out to dinner and The Crab Shack and then home for cake and presents. Stephen's cake was a tasty, four-layer spice cake with a yummy cinnamon cream cheese (homemade) icing.

A picture of Stephen's birthday haul.

Stephen starting to open his presents.

Yummy cake.

23...old man.


Daddy blowing out his candles!

More Thanksgiving Pictures

I think he was looking something up. Really.


Look, he's finally my size ;)

I'd like to say we were breaking the wish bone, but I think he was teaching me some new handshake, haha!

Eric visiting with Ava!

Playtime!

Thanksgiving

Stephen, Ava and I ventured up to my parent's house for Thanksgiving. I had been baking for a few days prior and then the cooking continued once we got there. I made Paula Dean's Ooey Gooey Pumpkin Butter Cake and about a billion mini mincemeat pies. Stephen made a delicious apple pie, complete with lattice top design. We had all the usual yummy Thanksgiving food, too numerous to recount here, but wonderful nonetheless!

BEAUTIFUL!

Stevie being so proud of himself and his pie.

My mom with the gi-normous turkey.

Okay, so I guess 24lbs isn't that big, I've heard of bigger, but it's still a pretty big bird, right? Well either way, it was really yummy :)

We started off the day with a family tradition: The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Which, per tradition, was watched intermittently, whilst we all walked around doing different things. It, according to tradition, was watched intently for a good five minutes, and then became background noise, to which the occasional mocking comment was made whenever the newest unknown group of 18 year old boys came on to "sing," which really meant to wear the best name-brand clothes and taunt every thirteen year old girl in country.

Throughout the day, we all drifted through the kitchen making different dishes; some for dinner, some for dessert and some appetizers that were eaten in eager anticipation of the main attraction.

Finally, my dad cut the turkey and everyone helped put food on the table and we sat down to eat. I marvel every year at the fact that it takes allllll day, plus a few days, to cook all the food and maybe an hour or so total to eat it.

I'm almost sad when it's over.

Til I remember that there will be leftovers :)