Thanksgiving-Kim's version

Can you believe that it has already been a week since Thanksgiving? And Christmas is only 3 weeks away. Yikes!!!! I better get my act together.

Since Jodi already posted some photos of Thanksgiving at my house, I thought I'd give you my version.

We had a small Thanksgiving this year. It was Mom, Dad, Jodi, my family & Danica (Eric's oldest daughter). Andrea & Eric's families spent Thanksgiving with their inlaws. At least that was the excuse they gave for not coming. Todd had a lame excuse too. His excuse, he lives in Utah & had to work.

Danica was the only one from Eric's family who came to my house for dinner, but only because she had to work at 4pm. So she couldn't go with her family to Borrego Springs for their family dinner with Jeannette's (Eric's wife) extended family.

We were lucky that Mom, Dad & Jodi could attend. They almost weren't able to as mom fell and hit her head and had to be rushed to the hospital in an ambulance the Monday before Thanksgiving. Luckily she was alright. Nothing broke. She just wanted to steal the spotlight away from Aunt Joan who had been in the hospital for hip replacement. At least that is what Aunt Joan said. She said it jokingly to Mom, but I'm sure there was a smidgen of truth in it as well.

Lucky for me, my hubby Mike loves to do the turkey & stuffing. Mom and Dad provided the turkey. I just had to pick it up from their house the week before Thanksgiving so that it had time to thaw out in the fridge.

Here is this years turkey. It's a Butterball!!! Nothing but the best for our family. Did you notice how the legs are all tucked in nice and the wings folded under. Mike's dad was a butcher, so he learned all these neat tricks from him.
I spared you the photo of Mike's tummy. He stuck it out real fat to look like the turkey. I took a photo, but I thought it was too much for you all.

Here is the stuffing all mixed up. We use Mrs Cubbison's cornbread stuffing. This is 2 boxes which is 4 bags of stuffing.
Here is Mike stuffing the turkey. He got all the above stuffing in this 17 pound turkey. Sorry that the photo is blurry.
Cooking corn, mashed potatoes and gravy. The large pot on the right in the back was used for boiling my yams before putting them in the oven to make candied yams.
Thanksgiving is the one time a year I wish I had a 5 burner stove and a double oven. But I don't. Boo hoo! But lucky for me Mike has a ton of Calphalon cookware. The one lone silver pot is mine & it is 27 years old. But it is still my favorite, even over the Calphalon.

And here is how our turkey turned out. Yummy!!!! This was Mike's best turkey to date.

We didn't want to squeeze in 8 people at one table. So I did up 2 tables. This table is in my kitchen/family room. If you want to see more photos of this tablescape, you can click here.
And here is the table in my living room area. I also did a post about this tablescape on my Starshine Chic blog. If you want to see more of this tablescape, click here.
Mike carved up the turkey & placed a lot of it on his favorite Lenox china serving platter.
Here is my plate of food. I did not artfully arrange it. The photo was an after thought after I piled everything on my plate. You're just lucky I remembered to take a photo before wolfing it all down.
We had turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, candied yams, corn, stuffing, green bean casserole and our annual Thanksgiving green jello salad. I did forget to take a photo of that.

Here is everyone that ate in the family room. Dad, Danica, Mom, Mike & me. But I did not take a photo of myself.

Eating at the living room table is Brandon, Jesse and Jodi. This was the kid's table.
Our goal was to eat at 2:00pm as Danica had to leave by 3:30pm to be to work by 4:00. We didn't actually eat until about 2:45pm. So Danica was able to eat before leaving for work. She was starting to get a little worried.

After dinner, Jodi and I put away the left overs and did the dishes. Then we messed around with her Cricut cutting machine that she had brought up with her. She left it for me to use, but so far, I haven't had the time.

We ate pumpkin pie for dessert (what is Thanksgiving without pumpkin pie?). Then Mom, Dad & Jodi left some time after dark. I think it was about 5:30 or 6:00.

It was actually a very nice and relaxing Thanksgiving. I enjoy having all my family around to celebrate, but it was also kind of nice to have a small gathering as well.

So that is what we did for Thanksgiving. What did you do? Eric already posted about his. If you missed it, you can see it by clicking here. And if you missed Jodi's version, you can click here.

And I final thing before you go, I'm having my first giveaway on my other blog Starshine Chic. I'm giving away all this:
Click here, to see how to enter my giveaway.

And come back tomorrow. I plan on posting about Jesse's birthday last night. We went to the Old Spaghetti Factory in downtown Riverside as well as the Mission Inn to see all the Christmas lights.

Happy Birthday Jesse & Simon!!!

Today is a double birthday. First it is my step son Jesse's birthday. It is also Simon's birthday. Simon is Andrea's son, so that makes him my nephew.

Happy Birthday Jesse and Simon!!! We love you both.

Thanksgiving at Kim's

Dad After Dinner

Jessie

Brandon Thinking tooo much!!!

Mom (Dorothy) and Danica

Here are some pictures I took at Kim's house on Thanksgiving. It was kind of weird with only 8 of us. There was Kim & Mike, Brandon & Jessie, Danica, Mom, Dad and Me (Jodi). Hopefully there will be more people for Christmas!!!!

Decked the Halls

Hey All,
I just posted pics of my Christmas Decor on my blog (thepopers.blogspot.com). Come check it out! If you don't have access to my blog, email me and I'll add you to the reader list. Merry Christmas to all of you!
Love,
Kira Pope
(Joni's Granddaughter/Marti's 3rd Oldest)

TAYLOR'S ART !!!

HERE'S A SELF PORTRAIT OK TAYLOR OF WHAT SHE WOULD LOOK LIKE WITH BLACK HAIR (COLOR PASTEL)
CLOSE UP OF RUKIA
AND YET ANOTHER CHARACTER FROM BLEACH. THIS IS RUKIA KUCHIKI. ( COLOR PASTEL)
THESE ARE THE ABOMINABLES... SOPHIE, SKY, AND RONALD (GRAPHITE)
THESE ARE A COUPLE OF SKETCHES FROM TAYLOR'S SKETCHBOOK (GRAPHITE)
THIS IS EVANGALINE (GRAPHITE)
(MARKER AND GRAPHITE)
ALSO BEFORE THE SOCCER GAME. (GRAPHITE)
THIS WAS A DOODLE TAYLOR DID BEFORE A SOCCER GAME LAST YEAR. (GRAPHITE)
ANOTHER CHARACTER FROM BLEACH. HIS NAME IS ZARAKI KENPACHI. HE'S PRETTY MUCH AWESOME. (PASTEL AND CHARCOAL)
THIS IS FROM THE MANGA TAIL OF THE MOON. (COLOR PASTEL)
THIS PAINTING IS FROM TAYLOR'S SENIOR YEAR AT WEST VALLEY. IT'S CALLED THE DARK SIDE OF DISNEY. (ACRYLIC PAINT)
THIS ONE IS ALSO FROM BLEACH, ALL OF THESE WERE DONE IN PASTELS (PASTEL AND CHARCOAL)
THIS IS HITSUGAYA TOSHIRO FROM TAYLOR'S ANIME CALLED BLEACH (PASTEL)
ANOTHER DRAWING FOR ONE OF HER FRIEND'S BIRTHDAY, THIS ONE WAS FOR ASHLEY (PASTEL)
A DRAWING TAYLOR DID FOR HER BEST FRIEND AMANDA FOR HER BIRTHDAY ( COLORED PASTEL)
THIS IS ONE OF TAYLOR'S FAVORITE DRAWINGS...

FAMILY PIC'S - ERIC'S FAMILY

ARE BEST FEATURES???
THE BOYS!!! CADE AND JASE ARE ALMOST AS GOOD LOOKING AS THE OLD MAN...
THE GIRLS OF DA FAMILY !!!
WHAT A GREAT LOOKING COUPLE!!!!
JASE POSING AS AN UNDERWEAR MODEL...
HERE ARE SOME FAMILY PHOTO'S OF ERIC & JEANNETTE'S FAMILY. TAYLOR'S FRIEND ASHLEY TOOK THESE PHOTO'S. WE ARE A REAL SERIOUS FAMILY ?

thanksgiving in the Desert

WE WENT TO BORREGO AGAIN FOR THANKSGIVING THIS YEAR. WE GO OUT AND MEET WITH JEANNETTE'S PARENTS, THEY LOVE TO CAMP EVERY WINTER DOWN THERE. WE HAD QUITE ALOT OF JEANNETTE'S FAMILY SHOW UP'. HER AUNT ELSA AND UNCLE BOB, AND 2 OF THEIR KIDS AND THEIR FAMILIES WERE THERE, ALONG WITH HER UNCLE RICHARD AND HIS WIFE AND J'S SISTER. IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL DAY, ABOUT 75 DEGREE'S AND SUNNY. WE STAYED AND TALKED WITH EVERYONE AFTER DINNER, WE HAD A CAMPFIRE AND IT WAS FUN TO JUST RELAX AND TALK WITH JEANNETTE'S FAMILY. NEEDLESS TO SAY WE ALL GAINED ABOUT 10 POUNDS FROM ALL THE FOOD WE ATE. WELL, I GOTTA GO. SEE YA!! HOPE YOU ALL HAD A GREAT THANKSGIVING!! LOVE, ERIC

Happy Birthday Jamey!!!

Today is Jamey's birthday. Jamey is Andrea's hubby, so that makes him my brother in law.

I hope you have a very happy birthday Jamey.

Happy Thanksgiving

I hope that everyone is having a Happy Thanksgiving. Don't eat too much food. You don't want to get heartburn. Oh heck, live dangerous. It's Thanksgiving.

And don't forget to be thankful.



What are you thankful for today?

I am thankful for all that God has given me. Especially my family. Family is my most important treasure. And I love that this family blog has connected us once again. I am really enjoying getting to know my cousins again and their kids.

I just wish we could have a big family reunion and all get to meet one another in person. Maybe some day. I'm just thankful that some of you are willing to participate in this blog or on your own family blogs.

I hope that each of you will post about what your family did for Thanksgiving and what you are thankful for.

I love each of you very much. I'm glad we are all a part of this crazy Manning Family Tree.

Kim

GOING CAMPING!!!

THIS IS ERIC AGAIN. AND CADE AND I WENT CAMPING LAST WEEKEND WITH CADES SCOUT TROOP 908. WE LEFT FRIDAY AFTERNOON AROUND 4:00 P.M. AND DIDN'T GET TO THE CAMP GROUND'S UNTIL 6:15 P.M. WE DROVE OUT PAST 29 PALMS, TO A CAMP GROUND IN JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK. (JUMBO ROCKS). WE SET UP OUR TENTS AND THEN ATE DINNER AND SAT AROUND THE CAMPFIRE, SHOOTING THE BULL.
IT WAS COLD AT NIGHT!!! WE GOT UP AND HAD BREAKFAST, WHICH THE YOUNGER SCOUTS COOKED FOR US, PANCAKES AND EGGS, YUMMY!!! WE DID AN ORIENTERING COURSE, THROUGH THE ROCKS AND CANYONS, WE HAD ALOT OF FUN. AND IT IS SO BEAUTIFUL OUT IN THE WILDERNESS. HERE'S A FEW PIC'S OF OUR ADVENTURE.

New Moon Adventure-Danica's birthday party

Last Thursday was Danica's birthday. Since a small group of us were going to see New Moon at midnight, we first went to Eric and Jeannette's house for a birthday party for Danica before we left for the movie.

So of course, the party had to have a "New Moon" theme.

There were all kinds of goodies with vampire or werewolf names.

And here is the birthday girl Danica in her Team Aro shirt. She says she is really on Team Edward, but thought she'd go to the movie as team Aro (One of the Volturi).





The "cut" cakes were red velvet.

Eric trying to be in the photo. The straws were blood suckers.

The "blood" was actually strawberry Crush soda.

Eric seemed to be in every photo.

Here is Danica opening up one of her presents. This was a helmet to use while riding their quads. It was from her mommy & daddy. She also got a pair of new boots from them that I didn't get a photo of. Her Aunt Laura gave her a cute jacket. I gave her a mirror for her bedroom wall & a mirror to use on a vanity. I didn't get photos of these items either. Oops!

Danica & her 2 bestest friends Bethany & Brittany.

Taylor drinking her blood from her blood sucker.

After we snacked at the house for awhile, we left for the movie at 9pm. Danica's friend Bethany's brother works at the movie theater & he said that there was already a line so we better get over to the theater.

We had to wait in line at the theater until 10:30pm when they finally let us inside. This particular theater was playing "New Moon" in only 4 theaters. Once we got let inside, we had to go to a specific theater. There was 8 of us in our group but we were not all able to sit together. We had to split up into 3 smaller groups.

Here is Danica & Bethany sitting together inside the theater.

Taylor & her Aunt Laura (my sister in law Jeannette's sister).

Taylor & me.

Laura, Taylor & I were able to find seats in the middle section of the theater. The only bad thing is this particular theater is an older one. It doesn't have stadium style seats. So every time someone wanted to come in or out of our aisle, we had to stand up to let them pass. Luckily once the movie started no one moved.

It was great fun getting to see "New Moon" at midnight. I was a bit tired when the movie first started, but by the end I was wide awake. The movie let out at 2:30am. And I got home about 3am.

I know that everyone that went had a great time. Laura and Jeannette were suppose to go see the movie again the next morning. Jeannette didn't want to stay up to go to the midnight show. And I know that Danica, Taylor & there friends were all planning on seeing it again the next day as well.

I'm sure by now, they have all probably seen it at least 3 or 4 times by now. I will probably wait until it comes out on DVD to see it again.

Before seeing the movie I was definitely a member of Team Edward. But the guy who played Jacob made me want to be on the Team Jacob bandwagon. So now, I'm torn.

I guess I better start reading the 3rd book in the Twilight series so I'll be ready for the next movie when it comes out in June.

Are you a Twilight fan? Which team are you on?

Bam!

The above picture is Bam Margera, his dad Phil, Jamey & Bam's mom April. You can see Bam & his family on the TV show "Viva La Bam". It's full of fun craziness!

This week Jamey has been on a professional skateboard tour over on the East Coast & while they were out they stopped by Bam's house to hang out.
This picture is of Jamey & Bam hanging out in Bam's backyard. The guys had a great time riding his quads, skating his ramps & just having a good time being guys.

Happy Birthday Danica!!!

Today is Danica's birthday. Danica is Eric's oldest daughter. So that makes her my niece & Dorothy's grandaughter.

Danica is going to Disneyland today to celebrate her birthday with her bestest friend. Then tonight a small group of us are meeting up at her house for cake & ice cream before we head over to the movie theater to see New Moon at midnight. It's the perfect end to Danica's birthday.

Happy birthday Danica. We love you!!!!

Aunt Kim

It's almost here!!!

Happy Birthday Erin!!!

Today is Erin's birthday. She is Marti's oldest daughter and Joni's grandaughter. Erin is married & lives in Florida. She just announced that she is pregnant with her third child.

If you want to know about Erin's family, you can follow her blog Such a Winters' Day. You can find the link to her blog on the side bar under family blogs.

Happy Birthday Erin!!! I hope you have a great birthday.