can you hear the big sigh?

That would be me, sighing an exhausted/happy sigh at the end of the perfect thanksgiving weekend. seriously, not all are like this {i'm looking at you, big bear 2009} so i can appreciate a perfect thanksgiving. we had all the right ingredients.

TONS of family: Carter and Erin from Vegas , Kelly and Dave from Phoenix and Mom and Dad all came to our house this year. Rachel next door happened to be gone this thanksgiving and let my family stay over there. It could not have been more appreciated. Everyone went back and forth, back and forth all day long. not to mention i could not have pulled off a dinner for 22 (all of us plus 3 missionaries) without 2 kitchens. can't tell you how many times i said, "soph, run over and see if rachel has..."

TONS of kids: 11 total. but in a teeny house it seems like 20! They played hard the entire weekend. Sophie, Owen, Penny, Simon, Maya, Caroline, Ben, Macy, Charlie, Tess and Elliot. Penny and Elliot are 6 months apart and mortal enemies at this point. But they're all good, creative, happy kids and they definitely made the holiday so so special.

TONS of food: everyone pitched in and made all the classics, plus Porto's pies. the apple killed the pumpkin, in my opinion. it was all so good! One of the missionaries is from Chile and this was his first thanksgiving so we had to teach him all about gravy. "oh, you have to go back and pour it over everything, Elder Rossi! welcome to America!"

Then the Elders sang a beautiful song about the Savior, the kids all took turns performing either piano or singing songs and we closed out the night with a few carols. I'm telling you,perfect.

Next morning the girls got up and went Black Friday shopping at the mall. everyone was buying cousin gifts so we wouldnt have to ship. i found a few skirts at forever 21 for 4 bucks each. I LOVE them. strechy little pencil skirts that i will never be able to wash for fear they'll shrink to penny's size. that's likely what 4 bucks will get you. haha.

then the gang went to the beach and to the movie TANGLED and Doug and i took the babies to Yo Gabba Gabbla LIVE. it was hilarious. if they come to your area you should totally GO. too much fun!

An now, for the onslaught of photos.

This was about an hour before everyone got there. you cant see the garlic press, a ladle and a pretend cell phone stuffed in the cubby of the car.