Thanksgiving 2009!

Colorado was absolutely gorgeous for Thanksgiving this year and we had a really nice day!  My sister, from Arvada, joined us this year...what a lot we had to be Thankful for!  We started off the day with a yummy breakfast...

Breakfast Casserole and homemade cinnamon rolls!

Then, of course, we had to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade...Love it!  

Here is Aunt Donna with Katia!  We love Aunt Donna!  She brought her lovely dog Petra with her and I must say...I was so thankful for the continuous mopping of my kitchen floor throughout the day...Thanks so much Petra!

Then it was time for turkey duty...no pardon on our side of things!  It's always such a busy day but the end result is so worthwhile!

We had to get out and enjoy the amazing weather!  A walk around the Twin Lakes was definitely needed!  Lili, Zander and Carl rode bikes (LIli had to practice those newly acquired biking skills) and Katia loved walking Petra.  Donna and I walked slowly as we were playing with her new amazing camera!  

We then headed home to finish what we had started...Carl doing his duty!  The turkey turned out great as did all the other yummies!  Especially the Streuseled Sweet Potato Casserole...here is the recipe!  
Steuseled Sweet Potato Casserole 
14 c. cubed peeled sweet potato (5 lbs)
1/2 c. half and half
1/2 c. maple syrup
1 t. vanilla extract
3/4 salt
1 egg, lightly beaten 
1/2 c. flour
1/2 c. brown sugar
1/4 c. chilled butter, cut into small pieces
1/2 c. chopped pecans
*Preheat oven to 375*.  Place potato in dutch oven, and cover with water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer 12 minutes until tender.  Drain.
Combine the half and half and next 4 ingredients (through egg) in a lg. bowl, stirring with a whisk.  Add potato to egg mixture; beat with a mixer until smooth.  Spoon mix into a 13 x 9-inch baking dish sprayed with cooking spray. 
Combine flour and sugar in food processor; pulse to combine.  Add chilled butter;pulse until mix resembles coarse meal.  Stir in pecans; sprinkle over mixture in baking dish.  
Cover and bake at 375* for 15 minutes.  Uncover and bake an additional 25 minutes or until the topping is browned and the potatoes are thoroughly heated.  
ENJOY!!!!  It was really good so save this and enjoy next year!

We all send you lots of Thanksgiving LOVE! 


We all hope you enjoyed your day immensely and were able to spend some really lovely time with your friends and family!