Happy Thanksgiving!

For our first Thanksgiving as man and wife, Tony and I headed up to Chicago to spend a few days with the Illinois branch of the Parsons family.

Recognize the china, Dad?

It was my Grandma Dolores' set - mother to my dad, Uncle John, and Uncle Rick.

My Uncle John and Aunt Wendy have generously hosted Tony and I many a time - including several of the past Easters - but this was our first Thanksgiving with them. As they have previously proven to be such excellent hosts, this trip we brought them my brother Jeff; much like how the Pilgrims brought the Indians syphilis.

On our first night there, Uncle John shared the scared "Parsons Pumpkin Pie" recipe with us and we made two of the most mouth-wateringly delicious pies you've ever eaten.

Jeff carefully guards the family secret.

These geese cracked me up, especially with Tony standing behind me squawking in his goose-voice, "Why?? Why am I not going under?!?!"

Jeff and I up to no good, as usual.

Aunt Wendy engaged in the Thanksgiving pet-picturing-taking ritual, and Hobbs posing obligingly.

Uncle John carving the scrumptious Hickory Smoked Turkey.

I hope everyone enjoyed the blessings of family, food, and fun this Thanksgiving as much as I did.

Well hello there, Tall, Dark, and Handsome

Don't you wish your husband was

HOT like mine...

Halloweening

Tony and I had never carved a pumpkin together as neither of us is a fan of Halloween. In fact, we hate this most stupid of holidays. We have a strict policy against dressing-up or going out on October 31st, preferring to stay inside together - not handing out candy - and just watch a scary movie. This year we screened "The Strangers" and, what with Milo's having learned to knock on our bedroom door, I've been having nightmares ever since.

This year though we tentatively explored Halloweening by attending a fun costume party (the week before Halloween, we stuck to the no-celebrating October 31st rule) at the Whitmire's and by carving two pumpkins.

A before shot.

I got to pawn-off all the icky gut-scooping on Tony as he does not believe he ever carved a pumpkin as a child and I wanted him to get the full experience. Plus it's gross and it should be a boy job.

My contribution: tracing on the design.

Surgeon-like precision.

Little glowing eyes. As is typical, Milo observes from as close as he can get while Sadie watches from afar.

The Challenge.

Scary-face success!

So spooooooky... The one on the left is a cat, in case you can't tell.

As festive as we get.

Well now that all that nonsense is over we can move on to the great holidays: Thanksgiving, my birthday, and Christmas! Fall is my very favorite time of year, all cozy and warm inside while it's blustery and cold outside. This year we're so excited to be heading up to Chicago to spend Thanksgiving with my aunt and uncle and we're keeping our fingers crossed that the stars align and we're able to spend a week in Seattle for Christmas. Stay tuned...