It is Turkey Time!

Thanksgiving is almost here and I am afraid by the time the day actually gets here, I am going to be most thankful that it is over. Blaine and I are hosting our very first Thanksgiving.....in mid-MO on Thursday for 19 people (including members from both of our families.) We are very excited to be preparing our first Thankgiving dinner - although we have cheated on our turkey, but that is a secret (we are having it smoked by Half Sauced at the lake....one of our favorite places to eat.) Shhhhh....

We are serving up the traditionals.... turkey, ham, potatoes (in all forms), rolls, green bean casserole, stuffing...you name it; we are having it. We do have some help with some things though - so THANKS for all of the food contributions. Starting Wednesday, we are going to have a house full. Mom, Dad, Shania, Julie, Tyler & Brad are making the trip in the early afternoon to be there for the annual "I am Thankful for Texas Hold 'Em" poker tournament. Brad is a new addition (and loooong time family friend) and I plan on taking his money....for sure! Later we will be joined by Ashley (Blaine's sister), Adam (her husband) and Blaine's Granny. And even later than that we will be joined by Tre' and Ronea (Blaine's cousins from Wisconsin). Everyone else will be joining the fun on Thursday.

Since the beginning of November, I have been working on a turkey naming contest at work where I got nearly 1600 elementary and middle schools to help me name this year's turkey that was pardoned today. Actually the contest got so heated, we named and pardoned two turkeys. Here I am with Stewie the Turkey. Turkulese the turkey is nearby. It was great to have this contest over - for me and for taxpayers. You have no idea how much time I spent on this project. And you have no idea how much time was spent in classrooms this month with kids voting for the turkey names. We received over 4.5 million votes - yes...I said 4.5 million.

Well...I am off to bake something!!! Thanksgiving is almost here.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!!