Thanksgiving

Look who's here!

They arrived at midnight on Friday night the 16th and left the next morning with Dad and MK to hike Old Rag at 5:30 AM.  After some crazy shenanigans involving a mouse, a recliner and a pellet gun on Saturday evening, Laura and I spent the following Monday morning shopping in Georgetown snagging this ridiculously good parking spot across the street from the entrance to G-town Cupcakes:  

The cupcakes are definitely over rated--they're only good because they're cool.  

If you want a European grocery store experience and ham that goes for $99 a pound take a stroll through Dean & Deluca:

After our fab time in G-Town scoring on some deals at Anthro, we met up with Jordan in Arlington to eat at East West Grill.  Goofy Laura waiting for our food and her man to show up:

 Lamb Kabobs:

I don't exactly get what the big whoop is all about but Jordan and Tom seem to that East West Grill is the end all of dining experiences.

I personally thought dinner that night was better.  Laura and Jordan made grilled balsamic prosciutto wrapped asparagus and I made butternut/acorn squash bisque.  Dang good.

L&J biked into the city to meet Dad for lunch on Tuesday while I helped decorate the Oakton Stake Christmas tree at the Washington DC Visitor's Center. They had Plaka Chicago gyros for dinner and Dunkin Donuts (Jordan's first ones!) for dessert and then did hot yoga with Jessica.  They loved it.

MK took a mental health day on Wednesday (they got out early anyway) and hit up IHop with her buds after seminary. Then we spent all of our money getting ready for Thanksgiving by going to Costco:

And going bowling:

 

And eating lunch at Smash Burger (if you haven't tried it yet, DO IT!):

   Laura took a long Thanksgiving nap after going to round two of hot yoga at 6:00 AM with Jessica.

MK and Dad ready to eat:

Sweet potato casserole from a recipe on my kindle:

Mmmmmmm:

What Bruce does with the turkey leftovers:  In addition to the swiss cheese, bacon and turkey there are olives, peanuts, and grapes in there.  Oh yeah, and cranberry sauce. All on his homemade sweet potato bacon biscuits. Your taste buds seriously go into over drive.

The Thanksgiving top ten:

We collectively gained at least 10 pounds.

L, J, MK and Dad hiked 9 miles up and down Old Rag.

Watched 8 movies (at least Jordan did) including Sky Fall (fun) and Life of Pi (mind bending). 

Enjoyed 7 side dishes (counting the relish tray) -- the Brussels sprouts stole the show.

Baked 6 loaves of Cranberry Orange Bread.

Had only 5 people join us for dinner this year.  So weird without Mikey :(

We each bagged at least 4 (or more) bags of leaves raking with the YM/YW for a service project.

Played 3 rounds of Scrabble Apple.

Watched 2 BYU football games-- they lost one and won one.

AND.....Put up 1 Christmas tree:

Time to crank up the Christmas music :)