Give Thanks!!!

We spent Thanksgiving with Cory's side of the family in a nice log cabin in Victor, Idaho.  Buzz worked really hard to put it all together so we could have a great family get-away.  Let's just say that there was a whole lotta this going on...

But seriously, this trip was just what we needed.  I needed to be able to lounge around for a few days.  Of course, Thanksgiving dinner was an all day affair.  People were in and out of the kitchen all day getting ready.  Everyone contributed (some more than others).  Jake made some good funeral potatoes.  Here I am pretending to coach him in the kitchen.

In reality, I didn't have time to be coaching Jake, because I was trying to add any last splashes and pinches of flavor to my homemade applesauce.

Every once in a while we took some breaks for kissing, or pretending to ice skate on the hardwood floor in our socks.  I enjoyed both activities.

Finally dinner was done.  It was super delicious, and it was nice as we went around the table to hear some of the many things that we were grateful for in our lives.

As a tradition in my family, we leave a Christmas ornament on each other's plates to open before we dig in to the turkey dinner.  Cory and I kept the tradition alive.  She got me a Daisy and Donald Duck ornament, since those are our absolute favorite Disney characters.  I got her a Rescuers ornament with Bianca and Bernard hanging onto a big diamond.  We didn't plan on both getting Disney ornaments, but that's life.

Buzz also made the week fun by giving Hanukkah gifts each night we were there.  The first night she came out with LED Headlights for everyone.  It was awesome.  Jake and I immediately put them to use trying to start a fire in the fire pit outside, which took us longer than I would like to admit.  I also used it anytime I went downstairs and the light wasn't on.

On Friday we headed out to Jackson, formerly known as Jackson Hole, Wyoming.  It was just a quick trip through a mountain pass.  They were having a Christmas program in the town square, complete with Salvation Army marching band and hippie MC that kept giving us updates on where Santa was relative to Jackson.  

We also spent some time walking around the shops around town.  Jake and I tried on some hats, as you can see.  Ironically, about 12 seconds after this picture was taken, a store clerk came over and told us no pictures were allowed in the store.  There was a sign right behind me the whole time.  Awkward.

So all in all it was a fantastic Thanksgiving break.  Only two more weeks of school left, and then final exams!  Can we just fast forward to Christmas?

How 'Bout Them Apples?

With the Thanksgiving holiday on the way, and us heading to Idaho to spend it with Cory's family, I decided to contribute something to the dinner.  In my family, home-made applesauce is a staple food during the holidays.  My grandma Sherry and my mom always made it, and it became my favorite food at holiday dinners.  They even started making it for my birthday.  So, with all that nostalgic memory bursting from my heart, I made the decision to follow in the footsteps of  those special women.

When I told Cory what I was thinking of doing, she supported me 100%.  Also, Cory understands that I am challenged in the kitchen.  Those two things led to her suggestion of heading to Bed, Bath, & Beyond to obtain an apple peeler.  The thing looked like a medieval torture device, which intrigued me.  With Cory gone at work, I started to peel.  It actually was very fast and efficient.  I think it literally saved me hours of hard labor.

With all the apples peeled I started to cook them on the stove.  At this point my anxiety levels were through the roof.  In most arenas in life, I am very calm.  In the kitchen, I am not.  I think I may be too detail oriented.  When my mom was giving me the recipe over the phone she kept saying things like, " a splash of..." or "a generous amount of..."  Those terms mean nothing to me.  How much is a splash?  Anyway, at every step I am paranoid that I have ruined the whole thing.  (Keep in mind that I literally ask Cory how long to microwave a cold piece of pizza.  Seriously.  I am incapable of punching in numbers until she tells me how long.)  In the end, though, I think it turned out alright.  Mine was definitely chunkier than my mother's version, though, and it was a little more tart.  I don't think I splashed it enough.

The finished product!

Anna's Swan Song

The Swan song is a metaphorical phrase for a final gesture, effort, or performance given just before death or retirement.  That is what Wikipedia says.

Anna isn't about to die, hopefully, but she did give her final performance as a part of BYU's DancEnsemble this semester.  Buzz, Sarah, and Grandma Pladsen all came down for the weekend.  It was great to see them and make some memories.  Here we are on the second and final night of shows.  Sarah had already gone home.

I know the traditional thing to do is have a bouquet of flowers for the performer, but Buzz and Jake had that covered.  Plus, a five pound bag of gummy worms sends the same message.

So as part of her final performance, Anna not only performed in the show, but also choreographed some of the dances.  I can only offer my perspective as the brother-in-law that has only been to three performances, but I'm pretty sure it was a masterpiece.  

After the show we had some quality family time eating some enchiladas.  

The enchiladas almost tasted as good as Cory looks in this picture...yum...

We Dressed Up!

Cory and I attended the Annual Anderson Halloween Dinner this year once again.  It was basically a pot-luck style party where people brought "spooky food".  Here is what Cory made!

Here we have pumpkin vomit (guacamole) and fried bat wings (blue corn tortilla chips).  She carved a little jack-o-lantern face out of an orange bell pepper for the pumpkin.  It was a hit.

She also made some great Halloween cupcakes.  Cory really shines when it comes to parties.  She knows what the people want!  We also dressed up in some awesome costumes.

Kyle was a pretty impressive Fix-It Felix, and I was an old man.

Here is some of the old gang, back together in all our glory.  I made it a point to never smile in any picture.  I thought it added to the costume.  Cory went as my granddaughter.  I don't know why everyone thought that was weird.  Halloween is supposed to be a time where we can be something we aren't.  I guess people just can't get into the Halloween spirit.  

Just Another Night at Home

Every once in a while we get a little bit crazy at home.