Chinese Turkey and Lots of Hockey Weekend

Thanksgiving: my favorite holiday of the year.

Thanksgiving in Alabama without my extended family, particularly if they are all together in Michigan without me: depressing.

But not so much this year, as I spontaneously decided to ward off my usual holiday blues and invite a couple of Chinese families from Tim's department to our house for a traditional American Thanksgiving dinner! One family asked if they could bring a turkey, as they already had it, but had never actually cooked one before. I'm particular about my Thanksgiving grub, so I was nervous. Guess what? Chinese people can cook turkey... I think they were surprised, too! :-) Libby and I did most of the rest of the cooking.

Kids' table (minus Jacob who is entertaining the guests in the corner of the room):

Libby was an amazing helper to me, cooking and cleaning! She even found a use for my Pumpkin Moon container.... plasticware dispenser! (Yes, I used plastic rather than wash dishes and I would do it again).

Early the day after Thanksgiving, we were off to Atlanta for Jacob's All-Stars hockey tournament. Five exciting, nail-biting games later, his team surprised and delighted us by becoming the CHAMPIONS of his age division!

Happy Car Riders:


Fun times at the hotel pool:


The family eating Chinese food (a theme?) at Discover Mills (mall). Jacob (intentionally) looking like a demon child from a horror movie!
Tim and Jacob in the Lego store:

Sarah and Jacob napping at the hotel after having to be at the rink at 5:50 a.m. Saturday:
Sarah was exhausted from plenty of waiting around:


Jacob was exhausted from plenty of this (he's number 46):

But it was all worth it to get this: (his face is directly to the right of the trophy)
Taking his turn holding the trophy:

Now it's back to reality.... laundry... grocery shopping... work and school tomorrow.....