Just Another Day at Home...

With a 25 lb baby on my hip it is hard to get anything done if he wants to be right there with me...So, I am thankful for deep sinks. Here he is helping with the dishes after a delicious shells and cheese lunch. Jack is such a great helper!

Thankful for Family

Thanksgiving morning started out with me calling my mom and asking her just how to clean this turkey carcass that was now sitting in my kitchen sink. As she walked me through it I started to get the hang of things, but was still disgusted by the whole idea of eating this thing that I just bathed. Shortly after my sister-in-law, Julie, arrived and cleaned the second turkey for me! One turkey now in the oven browning and a second turkey (Jeremy's idea ispired by who else but Alton Brown) now smoking on the grill. All was well. Guest began to arrive, appetizers were being enjoyed, laughter was abundant. Three hours later the turkeys had reached their desired internal temperature and were now ready to rest. The kitchen suddenly became a frenzy and reminded me of the set of "Iron Chef America" and I was the Iron Chef. I had an excellent staff of sous chefs and they promptly did what was asked. We plated all 11 dishes and the main dish as well - the two beautiful turkeys, and we were ready to enjoy the feast!

The dinner lasted the better part of an hour and was enjoyed by all. There was definately more food than was necessary, but this is how Thanksgiving usually rolls. Thanks to my mom, Real Simple Magazine, my sous chefs (Scott, Emily & Julie) and a great husband who hung out with Jack so I could focus on the kitchen - Thanksgiving was enjoyed by all.

The next day we spent time with my family. Jack was able to meet my aunt & uncles from out of town. We had breakfast with them the next morning as they were going to be returning home and we would most likely not see them for another year. Saturday night we went to the Dyer Farm for the Johnson's Thanksgiving celebration. And on Sunday we helped bake (and eat) cookies at the Dyer-Flaherty house. Thank goodness for the traditional "cow" cookie that Jeannie makes every year! YUM!

The holiday season has officially begun!!

Nothing Like A Hospital Robe

Well, we had our first visit to the emergency room on Sunday morning. Jack was having lots of trouble breathing and was sounding like a barking seal when he coughed. He was running a fever and the wincing on his face made it clear to us that this was a serious and painful situation for him. We called Dr. Bogel, who directed us to the ER. We headed to Woodwinds. We watched the fish while we waited for the Triage nurse. She took some vitals and then brought us back to a room. Jack was visited by the doctor who ordered a nebulizer treatment and a chest x-ray. Jack didn't like the nebulizer right away, but as we sang some songs to him he relaxed and started to breath in the mist. While we waited for the x-ray Jack took a nap on the big hospital bed. X-rays were a challenge because Jack had to be strapped down. It was very hard to watch the tears well up in his precious little eyes as the technician rushed to take the three pictures that she needed. The doctor determined that Jack had croup. He was given a special medication to help his throat and we were sent home.

Jack is doing well this morning and we are thankful that it was only croup. This last week put good health in perspective. We heard that Jeremy's Grandpa Al was diagnosed with bladder cancer and Great Rose was given the news that she has lung cancer. Bad news like this is always hard to hear. It is frustrating and defeating to hear that people you love so much are going through tough situations. As hard as it is we know that Al and Rose are fighters and that they will get through this. Jeremy and I find reassurance in God's Word. It says in Romans 5:3-5 that "We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us."

Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives...

There is a show on the Food Network called, "Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives." It gives a nostalgic peek into these classic roadside eateries. Nonetheless, we have had a new appreciation for such places and actually seek them out to eat at when we are on the road. The good news is that there is a classic diner right in downtown St. Paul - "Mickey's Diner" and we knew that we needed to whet Jack's appetite for this unique cuisine (or at least give him a first experience). We headed to the diner with Auntie JuJu and ordered one Big Eric, a classic cheeseburger and a California burger. The short order cook made it for us while we watched. (This particular cook was recently on Alton Brown's "Feasting on Asphalt" on the Food Network.) Within a few minutes we were already chowing on our food. Jack tried little bites - but was so intent on looking around at all the lights and hearing the sounds of a working diner. After we filled our bellies with the greasy eats we ordered one large chocolate malt to share. Delicious. The only downfall to this type of experience is the smell that permeates your clothing until they get a good wash. :)

A Fruitful Weekend

We host a Bible study at our home every other Tuesday evening. Within this one large group we break into two small groups of adults and one growing group of little ones. We had a total of 9 couples, and seven children and five babies on the way...that is until this weekend. Two of the five anticipated arrivals were born. Not only were they born on the same weekend - but they were born within 24 hours of eachother! What a delight. We were so excited to go and meet these two precious babies. Jack was especially excited when his new little friend, Jonas, started to cry. He couldn't stop watching. We are excited to meet the next three babies on the horizon too.

Trick or Treat

Jack's first Halloween seemed to last all month! First, Besta got him a dinosaur costume - so we had to try that on. Then he went to his very first party in which he had to dress up, so we put it back on again. That party was lots of fun. Jack got to go in the HUGE inflatable that had a slide. He loved watching the older kids with his new friend Kayla.

On Halloween Jack had to bring treats to all the neighbor children and their doggies (who love to lick Jack) followed by stops all the grandparent's homes. This time when he wore his costume we spiked his hair into a mohawk with special hair glue. Jack did pretty good collecting loot on his first time out too. He got lots of candy, a specially made cookie, caramel apples, cheerios, granola bars, goldfish crackers, and a pumpkin that has his name carved into it.

Chancho

Jeremy and I went on a relaxing weekend away to Cancun Mexico. It was great to just lay on the beach, play in the surf and eat delicious Mexican food. We both worked on our Spanish - and decided that we both need MUCH improvement. We were in a place buying a shirt and Jeremy wanted to ask how much it would be. He said, "Cuando hermanos?" and the sales associate looked at him with a puzzled look. Jeremy asked what he had just said...the associate replied, "How many brothers?" We all laughed!!

We also went to this great restaurant and ordered a feast for two. It came on this terracotta pig that had coals on top and a grill grate on top of that. As soon as it came we knew that this would be the best souvenir we could take home. Jeremy worked with the waiter and a friend who spoke Spanish well to negotiate us getting a pig of our very own. We call him "Chancho." We are told this is one of the many Spanish names for pig!

We also spent some time going on the zip-trek in the near by jungle. Jeremy is a dare-devil and decided that going upside down was the way for him. I held on for dear life and was not as brave. After about the last line, I was brave enough...but there were no more opportunities to fly upside down.

It was a fun getaway, but we were glad to get home to Jack and give him his gift of Mexican musical instruments. We are so thankful that my mom was able to come and stay with Jack for the weekend. It is an exhausting job...I can attest to that! Oh, and this time when we arrived home from vacation he didn't cry - he recognized us and was glad to see us.