Thanksgiving 2011

This year for Thanksgiving, we had 2 very special people drive a long way to join us... Gammy and Papa. The kids were thrilled to be able to spend a week with their grandparents, and it was fun to have them here to celebrate the holiday with us.

We LOVE hosting holidays and we LOVE making lots of yummy food to share with family and friends. In addition to my parents, we were also joined by local friends of ours, Christina, Taylor and their two year old twins.

Gammy, our au pair, Michalina and Gabby made the cutest turkey place-cards for everyone (see photos). And, they really made the table look beautiful. This year, we had both an adult and children's table. Rocco, Giuliana, Rhys and Maia all sat at the kids table together... which we later realized was a huge mistake as none of them really ate any dinner, they just goofed around and then got bored, left the table and started playing. Oh well... more turkey for the adults!














Gammy and Papa picked out a huge 20lb turkey for our Thanksgiving dinner. Dan was in charge of cooking the turkey and stuffing... and I was in charge of all the other stuff. We started with some yummy appetizers... pesto/mozzarella/arugula crostinis and a a delicious assortment of cheeses. Our first course was my homemade butternut squash soup and sourdough bread. The turkey couldn't have turned out more perfect - Dan did an amazing job. We served the turkey with a homemade stuffing, mashed potatoes, green beans, mushroom vegan gravy and our friends brought the most delicious homemade cranberries and brussel sprouts that are to die for. Dessert was homemade apple and pumpkin pie, also courtesy of our friends.

I think I ate enough for ten people. But, I had no regrets... it was all delicious! :)

Once again this year, we are thankful for the good health of our family, for the time we were able to share with and love Matteo, for having jobs, a beautiful home to raise our children, and being blessed with so many wonderful friends and family members in our lives. And, as I shared the news below... this year we were also thankful to be blessed with another little baby on the way.

We hope all of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday and that you too are able to recognize the good things and fortune in your lives, and share those in some way with the people you love.