November has been all things turkey.
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| Turkey art... |
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| Turkey sweets... |
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| and THE BEST turkey I have ever eaten. Melissa and Rob brought us an organically raised turkey from their friend's small farm in Washington. John smoked the dark meat and sous-vide the rest. It was one of the most delicious things I've ever had. |
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| Turkey grill master |
We had a nice couple of days with family. It was so wonderful sharing the table with everyone! :)
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| Ready to Feast! |
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| COUSIN TABLE! :) |
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| Pie time is every one's favorite part. |
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| Caleb's choice: pumpkin, toffee almond, citrus and caramel pear. I've never seen someone eat (and enjoy!) so much pie. |
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| Evie goes with a little bit of everything and a lot of whip cream |
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| Levi likes anything and everything anywhere at anytime. |
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| James is a pumpkin pie guy 100%. |
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| It's always our tradition to "walk off" the meal. Yes, us adults were definitely carrying most of these bikes up the hill by the end of the walk. |
The kids complained and moaned at having to wait yet another day to commence their Christmas tree trimming; the only thing that made them feel better is that we promised we'd go to their favorite local Christmas tree farm the very next day after school.
Evelyn remembered this place and assured the boys that there would also be free apple cider and candy canes. This seemed to be more important than actually finding a suitable tree, so they agreed that tomorrow would be better; they managed to endure a whole day of school. Climbing into the car in the afternoon, they anticipated the whimsical family memory that was about to be made.
By the time we got everyone home, properly nourished and suited up with rain boots and coats for our Christmas tree cutting adventure, it was nearing dusk; John urged everyone to get into the car so we could arrive before dark.
The car was bouncing with Christmas excitement as the kids all sang Christmas carols and discussed qualifications for the perfect Patton tree. As our mini van rolled up to the tree farm, we witnessed a man in big boats rolling down the garage door. It was a little before 5:00 and John thought that they perhaps closed at 5. Certainly they would at least welcome one more family before calling it a day...right?!?!
The man walked over to our van and John rolled down the window. "Nope, we are closing up early. Just getting to dark and dangerous out here in the forest to cut down another tree." He seemed pretty matter of fact and tired. Four excited kids faces immediately dropped.
John was leaving for a business trip the next day, so this was our big chance to find a family Christmas tree.
"Noooo!" cried the kids. "We want a Christmas tree!" Levi was actually crying. He was excited to hike out to the woods with Dad and saw it down.
John and I were silent for a moment as we pulled out of their lot.
Any other Christmas tree farm was going to be closed now, as the darkness suddenly descended over all of us. We were out of luck.
"Well," started John, "there is always FredMeyer."
It was true. The local grocery store near our house was an option. No, we wouldn't be traipsing through the woods picking out the perfect tree together. But we could grab a gallon of milk on our way out?😒
The kids weren't thrilled with the idea; but, when they realized it would be another week until we could get a tree from the tree farm, they obliged.
Everyone, except Levi.
All the convincing and reasoning and even bribing in the world couldn't convince him that this was a fine option.
He was adamant about wanting to wait it out the week in order to cut it down himself.
Well, majority won (as it does in most of our family predicaments and disagreements) and we drove to Fred Meyer to get our tree.
In protest, Levi refused to get out of the car.
So I agreed to stay with him while the rest of the crew went in .
He didn't complain or sulk; he was perfectly happy sitting in the car with me. He was simply standing up for what he believed was the right way to go about selecting a tree.
About 15 minutes later, the rest of the family emerged from the florescent lights carrying with them a handsome looking Christmas tree.
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| Making Holiday Memories |
John secured it on our roof with twine, and Caleb said a prayer that it wouldn't fall off the roof. At every stoplight he asked Dad to make sure it was still with us.
And as we pulled up to our house and put the tree in its place in front of our main window, no one remembered that we didn't chop it down.
And so, we have our Patton Christmas tree.
The holidays can officially begin!
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