Happy Sea Bass, I mean Turkey Day

I have started a new tradition.  Sea bass on Thanksgiving.  Don't act like you're above it.  Call me a traitor, but I've never really liked turkey.  Have you?  Be honest.  Since only the Wes Charles family and my parents were in town this year for "Turkey" Day, we decided to skip the stress that goes along with slaving over the dinner and eat out this year.  And let me tell you, you can have your traditional Thanksgiving dinner.  We dined at the Riverhorse on Main Street, and sea bass should live in fear of Thanksgiving from now on...I'm thankful that we were able to really enjoy a quiet, calm evening with people I love.  Isn't it about...time?

Wes actually ordered the traditional Thanksgiving dinner, turkey and all, and this was the result.  See what I mean?  

Liam finally recovered from his list of ailments and was a very happy boy at dinner.  I'm thankful that we can take the kid anywhere.  And I'm thankful to Airborne for making my flu symptoms barely noticeable.  Why am I always sick on major holidays?

Next stop:  the Charles household.  We tried to save room for a little more dessert after a delicious Riverhorse Apple Cobbler.  Mean Grandpa wouldn't give in to Liam's incessant pleadings, so MoMo had to come to the rescue with Mama's first attempt at a pumpkin pie. Liam approves.

Little turkeys.

Note: use less ginger next time.  But hey, aren't you impressed with my first try at homemade pie crust?  Now, if only I could stand the taste of pumpkin pie...

Wes happily obliged.

One day, we'll take a non-hideous Christmas picture.  One day.

I'm so thankful for my sweet boy(s).  They bring so much ridiculous joy to my life.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Sicko

Our stinker has been battling a sinus infection and pink eye for the past several days (and nights.)  This is the first time he's really been sick, and I can now say that one of the worst things in life is seeing your child suffer.  I feel totally helpless as a mama.  He has no appetite, wakes up in pain every night, and is generally miserable. Just look at this face...

I had a dream when I was about ten years old that someone maliciously super-glued my eyes shut, and when I woke up, my nightmare became a reality.  Panicked, I yelled to my mom across the house, "Mom, someone glued my eyes shut!"  That was my first experience with pink eye.  This is my second. Yuk.

Wes and I are in the clear (knock on wood), but sleep deprivation has taken its toll... It doesn't, however, seem to have completely dampened Liam's good spirits.

We're crossing our fingers he's fully recovered by turkey day.  He's a fighter.  

In other news, Park City declared a "snow emergency" today.  One meteorologist said, ""This (blizzard) will far surpass anything that we've seen, probably for the last several years."  KSL recommends eating when it's cold because the food will help keep your body warm.  Oh, we've got that covered.  This may be my first pre-Thanksgiving blizzard... The abominable snowman below is my husband, trying to plow through the layers of snow that accumulated this past weekend.  This is just the beginning, baby.  

BIG PARTY, little guy: Part II

And now, what you've all been waiting for...Cake-Face pictures!  

Liam's reaction to the birthday song was less than joyful.  We knew this would happen, but you know what they say.  If it doesn't kill ya...

His first real taste of sugar.  Yeah, he's a fan.  

And this is the part where he dumps the whole slice of cake on his chest.  Good thing I stripped him.

Aren't these faces just CLASSIC?

If only Liam were in costume here, we'd be quite the trio.  Blue monster, fairy sprite and King of Far Far Away?

The king bathes the chocolate-encrusted small one.

There is a Korean tradition called the Toljabee in which on a child's first birthday, various objects are placed on a table in front of the baby, and then he is free to pick up the items that attract him.  The items that the child picks are said to predict his future.  As we lacked an actual Korean at the party this year (sorry we stole your tradition, Linda!), we kind of improvised a bit.  If Liam chose the book, it meant he would be a great scholar, the bag of rice signified future riches, the scissors meant he would be skilled with his hands, the compass meant he would have great direction and judgement, and the pen meant he would be a great communicator.  He chose the compass, which I think means he could be all of the above!

This little walker-wagon was the hit of the night (a gift from Grammy, Papa, Mama and Dada).  I think he'll be walking in a matter of weeks, thanks to this new gadget.  Time will tell...

Thanks, Dad, for being such a great photographer!