Happy Thanksgiving!

I love to read stories to my kids! We have quite a collection for each holiday. My favorite Thanksgiving book has got to be A Turkey for Thanksgiving , written by Eve Bunting, and illustrated by Diane de Groat.
It is all about Mr. and Mrs. Moose and their Thanksgiving. Mrs. Moose says, "I wish we had a real turkey, everyone always has a turkey for Thanksgiving." So, Mr. Moose (the good husband that he his) sets out to find her a turkey. A funny story, with a surprise ending! We just love this book!

Now, that you know my favorite book, I'll get on to the rest of the Holiday! Favorite thing to eat? EVERYTHING!!!! This year, we had a sort-of quite Thanksgiving. (how quiet can you get with 5 kids?) My Big Brother, Karl, from across the river, came with my niece(N) and nephew(K). He cooked, or shall I say FRIED, a beautiful turkey! I just love how fast that bird cooks up, and I can actually use my oven on Thanksgiving morning! We have had his Fried Turkey before, but it has been a few years. Oh My Goodness!!!!!!!!!! That is what it was pure GOODNESS! (I don't know if I can ever go back!) We had fun with the family just hanging, playing guitar hero, watching 'Bedtime Stories', and talking. Pretty low key! I like that!!! A LOT!

For dessert, we migrated over to the in-laws. Grandma N made pumpkin pies, I had made an apple pie and a pecan pie, and Karl had made a pumpkin pie with toffee/pecan crumble on top! Good pie was had by all, again and again and again! (Can I just say that I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Pecan Pie!!!! It can get pretty sweet, but the recipe I used this year was seriously PERFECT!!!!! I am drooling just thinking of it! I need me some PIE!)

Over all we had a great Thanksgiving! I love it that my Brother lives close enough to come and hang-out. I'd post pictures, but I never think of taking them till I'm blogging! OOPS!

For our Family Home Evening this week we talked about Gratitude. (I know how original was that with Thanksgiving coming and all) We decided to make a list of some of the things our family was grateful for. We talked about that we could be thankful for little things(like socks) as well as big things(like the temple). To end this post, I thought I'd share part of our list with you all.

Family
the Prophet
Brothers
Life
KFC (yes, that would be Kentucky Fried Chicken, the little things in life)
our Bodies
the Gospel
Cream Cheese and Ham Bagel Sandwiches
Holy Ghost
Temple/Ordinances
Tutu's
Book of Mormon
Music
Books
Sisters
Good Night Hugs and Kisses
Toys
Maggie (our doggie)
Friends
The Articles of Faith
the Priesthood
Church Leaders
a Warm Home
School/Teachers
Food
Shoes
Pre-School
a Job
DANCE!
Electricity
Prayer

We are grateful for so many things, and are blessed with so much! I love this time of year when we can really take the time and think of all that we are blessed with. I just keep thinking that if, throughout the year, we focused on gratitude, like we do at this time of the year, how much happier we would be every day! (not sure my wording made sense, but hope you got the drift of my message) I hope you all had a wonderful day! Happy Thanksgiving!!!