Thanksgiving in Colorado

The Wednesday before Thanksgiving, Elisabeth and I started making some of the yummy foods for the feast at our house. Elisabeth has been helping in the kitchen since she could hold a spatula to lick it, so she's a pro now.

She's awesome at cracking eggs.


And helped me make this fabulous pie. Yes, yes, the pecans seem to have gravitated to one side, but I blame my oven. I think it's tipsy. Drunk oven.
Here are the deviled eggs we made because Evan insists they be a part of every feast.


Thanksgiving morning, I was up bright and early to tackle that 8.5 pound turkey in my refrigerator. I started by cleaning out the turkey. I found its neck right away and Elisabeth rushed over to ooh and ahh at it. (Aren't I so lovely in my morning attire?) (Seriously...I should have at least brushed my hair)
Then I went on to dress my turkey. I stuffed it full of quartered onions, oranges and garlic cloves. I also took softened butter and massaged it onto the turkey's breast under the skin.
Stuffed.
Then I sprinkled the spice mixture all around (garlic powder, italian seasoning, salt, pepper, smoked paprika)
Evan's co-worker, Jacob, who was coming over to combine Thanksgiving forces with us, had bought the equipment to fry a turkey. His turkey was 17 pounds. My turkey was scared of his turkey. Anyway, since they are both lawyers (and dorks), the guys put up orange cones around the fryer to deter any children on bikes or pedestrians from running into said fryer and possibly knocking it over or catching themselves a flame.
Julia spent her time flirting with Erika (Jacob's wife) and chilling out.

Erika took this picture of us. Don't the girls look cute?! Don't you wish I'd pulled the right side of my shirt down?
Julia loves Erika. She was helping Erika stir the gravy.
The fried turkey is done!!!! (doesn't it look like it's going to waddle away?! I always think whole poultry look like they might dance away at any moment...because I'm odd, that's why)
Jacob is so proud of his turkey!
My turkey is done!!!!!
I set the table all elegant and whatnot. We'd never used our nice plates or tablecloths or place mats before.
The buffet line. I super love having a buffet area. It is handy when you actually need to have a buffet.
Julia could not wait any longer for the new Lieutenant and his wife to show up. She had to eat.




Elisabeth decides to sit and bug her while the grown ups start getting plates of food ready.
Evan carves the turkey!!!
We had an absolute blast. We ate around 3:00 and it was all delicious. The girls were so well behaved and still got to bed on time. Our guests left around 11:00PM, and took lots of leftovers with them. I really am thankful that we were able to share the holiday with friends since our families were all in Illinois. Hope everyone had a fantastic Thanksgiving!!