Hidden Springs Thanksgiving Bowl 2011

As big on tradition as Brian and I both are, for some reason neither of us feel the need to continue our forefathers yearly ritual of roast turkey, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, and green bean casserole with our kids. We both grew up with Thanksgiving Day being a big deal. We both came from families that celebrated this day in style, with all the fixings. And we both have wonderful memories of Thanksgivings of our childhood. Maybe it is my lack of cooking skill (or desire to put my hand inside a turkey's you-know-what), maybe it is the fact that my kids don't like any of the traditional foods, maybe it is because I have never liked sweet potatoes or stuffing or cranberries- even the homemade kind. We both love to celebrate the day in style at the homes of our loved ones where other people do most of the cooking and we just are "helpers". Last year at Lisa and John's in Seattle was so much fun and it would have been great to see everyone-but this year we didn't have travel plans (having learned our lesson the hard way about traveling through snow storms in an old Suburban over mountains). We knew we were home for the big day and we wanted to make it memorable- minus the feast.

We decided to invite all of our local friends over for a casual day of football watching, a family flag football game on the Green, appetizers, and dessert. We didn't know who would come- knowing that most people had family in town or plans of their own. All we knew for sure is we would have the five of us and Nana. We ended up with two families and an extra kid- a friend of Jake's from football. People arrived a little after 3 and we ate chips and salsa, artichoke dip, cheese and crackers, and other easy finger food. We watched the games on TV, talked, and shared our house plans with everyone. Beer was on hand, as was plenty of Diet Coke. It was "come as you are"- definitely no dressing up required (as you can see from my baseball cap and sweats).

The highlight of the day was the Thanksgiving Bowl. We split everyone into two teams and had our own football game. Faith started out wanting to be scorekeeper but ended up taking part in the action- and even scoring a big touchdown for our team (aided by a lot of people that mysteriously were unable to pull her flag as she ran first one way down the field, then the other). No one took the game too seriously- Brian even going so far as to utilize the defensive tactic of trying to "pants" the person he was defending (that would be me). Even Jake, our ultra-competetive kid- was able to just play for fun and not worry about the score. I'm not entirely sure who had more fun- the kids or the adults. There was perfect weather- chilly but not cold with a little sunshine peeking through. We stayed outside until the sun went down, then headed indoors for a little more NFL and delicious pies that Mom made.

All in all it was a great day spent with people we like doing things that we love eating food that we enjoy. Isn't that what Thanksgiving is all about?

Tanner's Birthday Phase Two

We decided to celebrate Tanner's birthday in conjunction with Mom's birthday on Sunday night. He was, not uncharacteristically, pretty low key about the whole thing. I mean he didn't really care what kind of cake we got and he didn't drive us crazy for days asking us when he could open presents. But I think he had a really good time and truly liked everything he got. Brian and I surprised him with a bike/skateboard ramp like the one the kids down the street have. He hadn't asked for it on his birthday wish list but we were pretty sure he'd be thrilled. Brian caught the expression on his face- which was priceless. He also loved his new Reezig shoes (thanks, Grandma Mary!), Under Armor gear (Thanks, Auntie Sue!), and Happy Napper (Thanks, Nana!)

Yes, he has become quite the "brand name" guy-asking specifically for Under Armor and Reeboks. Happy Nappers commercials are shown each morning when they have TV time so I knew that was a "must have" as he's been asking for one for about a year! We sang happy birthday and he blew out the candles on the cake we bought that morning. He, however, didn't want cake, preferring to eat the last bit of his chocolate football that was sent in his "Happy Thanksgiving Package" from Grandma Mary last week!

I've been telling him since his last birthday that he is not allowed to turn six. I joke with him that he better still cuddle with me when he is 6 and 16 and 60. He snuggled up to me on the couch later that night and said, "See, Mom? I'm six and I still will cuddle with you whenever you want!". Let's see if he will still be such a love at 16! I can only hope.

Tanners Thanksgiving Feast

Does he have to turn six? Really? Because I love this age and I'd kind of like to freeze time. He brought home this list of things he is thankful for this week. In case you can't read it on the picture, here it is:

my famle

home

wotr

car

chres (trees)

bed

food

bes (bees)

clos (clothes)

frens (friends)

scool

shoos

froot

He had his Thanksgiving Feast yesterday at school.He was dressed in his little pilgrim hat and collar and out of the huge array of Thanksgiving foods to choose from he had carrots, cheese, and deli turkey. No pie. No cranberries. No olives, stuffing, or potatoes. Is it any wonder I don't go to the trouble of making a traditional dinner for my children? Despite his picky eating habits, on my list of things I am thankful for, that little boy is definitely a contender for #1.

Tanner's Birthday Phase One

Tanner couldn't make up his mind what he wanted to do for his birthday this year. He said he wanted to go to Gem State Gymnastics, again. We've had two birthdays there for our kids and been to countless others for other peoples kids, so Marisa and I were trying to come up with something different for our sakes anyway (yes, I know, it's his party, but come on!).

So our neighborhood was having a community night at the Steelheads Hockey Game last night and a couple of Tanner's friends were going with their families. We kind of hi-jacked the idea and got a few more of his buddies families to sign up. Tanner loves hockey, so he was all in, and so it became the Hidden Springs/Tanner's Birthday Party Bus Trip to the Steelheads game.

This was the first time the community had done this so we weren't sure what it was going to be like, but it got such a response that we filled two party buses. Luckily for everyone concerned, the families with kids (and all of Tanner and Jake's friends) ended up on one bus and the serious drinkers ended up on the other one. There was beer, wine and food served on the bus. We played trivia games for prizes and Tanner opened up his presents with his friends on the way downtown to the game.

The game itself was a 7-2 blowout loss by the Steelheads, but we had a really good time. Tanner and his buddies all sat together and watched the game the whole time. He was a bit dismayed when he heard the PA announcer wish him a Happy Birthday and spent a considerable amount of effort trying to figure out how the Steelheads knew it was his birthday. He stood up and screamed for the free T-Shirt guys (we didn't get one), and in general, just had a good time at the game.

Jake and his friends got a little bored with the game (I don't blame them, it was pretty bad hockey) and spent most of the night roaming around the arena, dancing and trying to get shown on the video board. They succeeded in the third period and spent the rest of the game bathing in the victory. Faith also enjoyed dancing in the aisle and sitting with Nana, Mom and Dad.

On the way home after the game, everyone on the bus sang "Happy Birthday" to Tanner and he curled up on my lap with his new pillow pet and rested. We got home at 11:00 or so and got everyone into bed. We fully anticipate paying for the late night out (like we always do) with some cranky kids today, especially after both boys play a full basketball game each.

We're going to do Tanner's family birthday (Phase Two) on Monday. The kids are off school all week next week for Thanksgiving Vacation. We're going to take them to the Trans-Siberian Orchestra on the day before Thanksgiving and Marisa is trying to organize a neighborhood pot-luck/flag football game for all of the families staying in town (it's just a ploy to get pie), so there will be plenty of posts upcoming.

Halloween 2011

It took me awhile to get into the Halloween Spirit this year. On Sunday I finally felt like participating and we carved the pumpkin and made pumpkin seeds. Up till that point the most I had done was find Faith her cheerleader paraphenelia and went with Tanner's Kindergarten class to the pumpkin patch. Fall has been so beautiful here and I have enjoyed the weather and the trees and the chill in the air so much- but with the house on the market we didn't really get into the decorating part of Halloween.

Once again we had two football players. I think that is three years in a row. Easy, cheap costume! Plus the boys always get tons of comments from people in support of the Broncos. Although one house gave everyone else at their door two pieces of candy and the boys only got one piece each since the person that answered the door was a Vandals fan.

Faith went to preschool as a cheerleader and went trick or treating at the mall with Miss Wendy after school. That night she was a bat. She was thrilled with this last minute costume I found at the thrift store and kept saying all night, "Mom, thank you SO MUCH for getting this for me. I LOVE it!". She ran down the street flapping her wings and making bat noises. Most people thought she was a cat but she happily corrected them while taking their candy.

Jake invited a friend along this year and they ran on up ahead of us on each block and waited for us at the end of each street. It was kind of bittersweet in that I know this could be the one of the last Halloweens when Jake wants to be with us. Soon he will be off on his own with his friends and mom and dad will be so "uncool". Ugh.

As always there were a ton of kids out in the neighborhood and many adults set up outside with their buckets of candy and bonfires. It's always so festive here. The weather wasn't too cold so no heavy coats were needed- which is always nice! We were out for about 90 minutes and the kids raked in the candy. Seriously WAY TOO MUCH candy. I have no willpower so after the kids go to bed I raid it all. I am all "butterfingered" out now and it is only the 2nd of November!

So now we are on a slippery slope to the New Year. Hard to believe. Conferences are this week, then there's Tanners b'day,Turkey Day, followed closely by Christmas and New Year's. Wow. Time is flying by way too quickly. The chill in the air has already turned COLD- especially in the mornings when it is 25 degrees or so! There is so much to look forward to and so much to be thankful for.