DINANDA: Thanksgiving Weekend 2008 part 1: Family

Thanksgiving was a whirlwind; not exactly restful, but sooooo fun!
Here it is in outline form:

Tuesday:

Jonathan and I type away furiously at our hermeneutic analysis papers for our Covenant Theology class until...
5:30pm: I pick up Jon from the airport.
6:10pm: Erik, with lovely girlfriend, Cat, drives in from Georgia.
6:15pm: My parents drive in from Houston, TX.
Much hugging and exclaiming that I am indeed pregnant. It is decided that the progeny in my womb shall from now on be called "nibbling" by the uncles-to-be.
(Definition of "nibbling": non-gender specific term for niece or nephew, modeled after the word sibling. plural, niblings)
We all make it laughing into our apartment and fun dinner commences.
Menu: spinach salad, pumpkin soup and home-baked bread. (Thank goodness for crock-pots!)
9:30: Guests retire to their beds. Jonathan and I continue as pictured above.
2:00am: Jonathan goes to bed.
2:30 am: Keren goes to bed.

Wednesday:

5:30am: Keren and Jonathan resume their positions at the table.
8:30am: Rough drafts finished, showering, dressing and then back to revision.
8:45am: Family arrives for breakfast, which Mother is drafted into cooking. Jonathan and Keren receive toast and eggs at their work stations.
9:30am: Final drafts printed, J and K drive to school.
10:00-12:15pm: Covenant Theology Class, papers turned in. (much relief,very sleepy)
1-2:00pm: Lunch
2:00-5:30: We all Take a field trip to the City Museum!

There's me and my mom, watching the others climb through a wire-mesh tube suspended three stories above the ground by a crane and cable .

Apparently the height does not bother them!

The architecture of the place lends itself to interesting views of people. I love my mom's little head poking out here!

Here's dad and Jon, climbing up in the rafters. I had to stick my camera through the rope web to get this shot.

The mosaics were beautiful--as my hubby is handsome!

Nothing like hanging out in the caves, philosophizing.

There were lots of spaces that seemed a little tight for grown ups....

But if you are a kid at heart, you can fit through anything, right Erik?

Or, as we concluded, if you are Cat, you will fit through anything!

Lots of fun!

5:30: Now on to the best Indian food in town! We were all very hungry, and the food was very good.
8:00: We are all very full, and decide to relax and digest by watching "Enchanted"
Bed! Sweet Bed!

Thanksgiving Day:

9:00am: Breakfast with all, all for breakfast.
Menu: Grapefruit, home-baked blueberry muffins and sage scrambled eggs with commodore tea, coffee and orange juice.
10:30am: Thanksgiving Service at local Episcopal Church, Dad gives homily, Keren get's cute little baby socks from a kind woman she has never met before in the congregation.
1:00pm: Ernest preparations for "THE MEAL" begin.

Appetizers for the happy workers: Cheese and cracker tray featuring Goat cheese, sharp Cabot cheddar and Irish Porter; Tapinade medley including Wild Portabella and Walnut, Roasted Asparagus and Garlic, and Rima's fabulous home-made hummus. Wine, sparkling juice and coffee.

2:30: The stuffing and turkey are ready to go!

6:00pm: Turkey comes out perfectly!

6:30pm: Our first Thanksgiving Dinner!

Menu

starters~
Spinach Salad with Apples, Candied Pecans and Balsamic Dressing

main course~
Roasted Turkey
Apple and Bacon Stuffing
Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Marzinke Baked Sweet Potatoes
Green Beans with Orange Essence and Toasted Maple Pecans
Cranberry Sauce
Wine