a very special Thanksgiving!



this is just part of LONG tables of YUMMY food!!



Ben's surpise entrance to the Family Thanksgiving!

 As you can see, we had more than enough food!  I forgot to get pictures of the tables since I was so busy prepping and hugging family members that I hadn't seen in a long while.  But you can see a portion here.
The highlight of our day was when Ben surprised us, by popping in the door just as we were ready to say the Thanksgiving Blessing!  We all went ecstatic since he wasn't supposed to get away for Thanksgiving...and we were not expecting him. We were still missing Travis in Korea and Lori and Brandon in Hawaii, but having Ben with us was very special!!!!  My mom enjoyed every minute of the day!  Even if we didn't have all the delicious food, just the love of the family would have been enough for me. 

Here is another favorite holiday recipe: 
Cranberry Apple Christmas Casserole-( but it is great for Thanksgiving too)
1 c. white sugar


2 cups fresh cranberries


3 cups unpeeled, chopped apples, 1 inch diced in size


½ tsp. freshly ground nutmeg, optional


Topping:


½ c. brown sugar


½ c. old fashioned oatmeal


½ stick butter, melted


¾ tsp. cinnamon


1 c. coarsely chopped pecans


Mix sugar, cranberries and apples together and place into a greased baking dish.


Mix together the topping ingredients in a bowl, and then top the apple, cranberry mixture with the pecan topping. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 min. until apples are cooked and bubbly.