A Little Bit of Blackmail

If you think only preteen girls like One Direction, here is proof that preteen boys do, too:

I think I can use this to my advantage someday...

Thanksgiving 2012

Thanksgiving is one of those holidays that I usually don't document.  And, this year would have been no different if my sister hadn't taken these great pictures.

 This was our first major family get-together at my parents' house without them.  We had to manage the food and all the details all on our own.  Laurel and Doug did a fabulous job hosting with great food and super cute decorations. 

 Of course, the kids enjoy spending time with cousins just as much as the food.

 My assignment every year is the pies - I'm not sure why.  This year I tried making the crust instead of letting Pillsbury do it for me.  I'm not sure they turned out all that great, but I'm going to keep trying and one year have it perfected.

I look a bit guilty in this picture - must have been my 3rd piece of pie.  

 With Mom not being there, we all had to step up.  Even Jeff (in the background) got to work and did all of the dishes - what a guy!

Apparently, Jayden enjoyed the pie - bad crust or no.

 After a nice, big dinner, we got the chance to Skype with my parents in the Philippines.  It was so fun to "see" and hear them again as well as their surroundings.  They are surely missed.

 Not only does Thanksgiving mean family and food, but it also means time to get serious and plan "Black Friday."  As Laurel pointed out in her blog post, Dave had a system with the ads and you would get the evil eye, or worse, if you messed it up.  He takes this seriously.

Thanks, Laurel, for letting my hijack all of these pictures and for taking them in the first place.  I'm a picture-taking slacker.