Turkey Day

We traveled to Iowa this year for Thanksgiving, taking a much needed break from school and recruiting to bond with family (all 5 siblings + significant others, and Grandma Barnes!), relax, and enjoy the gourmet fare provided mostly by Rachel (with help from siblings as assigned).

Food prep by Spencer, Kelly, Aaron, and Brian

The menu was fit for a 5-star restaurant, so I wanted to record it for posterity:


Hors d'oeuvres: (by Christy and Steve)
*hummus & pita
*devilled eggs
*crudites

The meal: (by Rachel unless noted)
*apple-onion-bay scented turkey (by Dan)
*fruited cornbread dressing
*yum-yum salad (by Polly)
*mashed potatoes (by Spencer)
*seared green beans (by Brian & Laura)
*sweet potato-gruyère soufleé
*cranberry chutney preserves
*rolls (by Rachel Dennis, family friend)

Polly, Spencer, Dan, and Kelly

Rachel D., Amy K., Polly, (Spencer), Dan, Kelly, Rachel, Aaron

Christy, Steve, Rachel D.

Dessert:
*Rock Band

*and card games Second Dessert:
*Pumpkin cheesecake
*Maple-pumpkin pie
*Kentucky Derby Pie (by Kelly)


And of course, Felix had plenty of time to cuddle with Grandma Polly!

and with Great-grandma!

And lots of playtime with Aunts and Uncles.

And time to get to know the cats.

Then, sadly it was time to leave beautiful Cedar Rapids and return home to Ann Arbor. But thank goodness for Dean Bear and a comfy carseat. :)