RUSH Weekend!

1 Year, 32 Weeks.


No, it's not about that crazy first weekend experienced by most students in the country's secular colleges and universities.  And although this wasn't about the interviewing process, getting accepted, and going through initiation of the most popular fraternities and sororities, this past weekend did have some mad rushing and craziness about it.  And I guess if you're brave enough to attempt to join the national fraternity τυρκη (The Uncontested Roasting Kings Each Year, or TURKEY) then you should be able to produce the juiciest, moistest, most delicious thing on the Thanksgiving table by simply following these steps:

• Step 1:  Choose a good size bird large enough to feed 16 adults and 3 kids, as in our case, a 27 pounder.
• Step 2:  Put that gargantuan thing into the fridge 1 week prior to cooking and thaw that sucker.

We lost a lot of space in the fridge that week!

• Step 3:  Brine the bird for 12-24 hours.

Soak baby, soak!

• Step 4:  Cook the bird in the oven for 5½ hours (depending on poundage, and yes, there is a secret technique to get it just right.)

Cover it with the breastplate of deliciousness.

• Step 5:  Take your picture with it.

Badda bing, Badda boom!

• Step 6:  Carve and serve.  Eat it with love. 

Scalpel please...

• Step 7:  Keep the rest for leftovers, i.e.  BBQ turkey melts, Cilantro turkey wraps, etc etc.  Discard remaining shell.

The End!

Thanksgiving weekend was certainly packed full of places to go, people to see, and food to eat! 

It started very late Wednesday evening as I was finishing up last week's blog post.  I had wanted to complete one earlier than my normal Thursday evening's, for I knew how busy we were going to be and I feared if I didn't get it done that night it probably wouldn't have gotten done at all.  So as soon as the children were down for bed I hunkered in and began to write.  The longest part about posting, other than writing my thoughts down into text, is the uploading of pictures and videos, which, because of our embarrassingly archaic thing of a computer, can take FOREVER.  Which was why it really didn't come as a complete shock or surprise when I glanced at the time and realized I only had 3 hours of sleep left before my alarm was set to go off, for an anticipated round of golf.

Golf, you say?  On Thanksgiving?  Oh, believe me, I was thankful.  Grateful, even, that my wonderful wife would allow me this chance of taking some recreation and respite from the children, albeit so early in the morning.  This used to be a holiday tradition for us, as most restaurants were closed and we would do the turkey thing over the weekend, since I always worked Black Friday and the following Sunday.  And that was before the children came along.  So I was tickled pink to get up at 5:30, drive across town to pick up Duncan and some Starbucks, and warm-up before our 8:00 shotgun start.

I hadn't played in months.  Oh, I've had opportunities (remember when Mike was here a few weeks ago?) but something always happened or came up.  I was curious to see how badly my game had become.  We met up with Duncan's stepfather Ron at his home course Deer Run in Casselberry, and were soon joined by Corey's Uncle Kevin, and her two cousins Jonathan and David.  David lives here with his wife Yully, who won this year's PumpkinFEST cook-off contest.  But the rest were from Boston and Texas.  Anyway, it was a nice group and we were able to enjoy a beautiful round of golf, amid the strong windy conditions.  I thoroughly enjoyed myself.  I shot a 91.

Duncan flirting with danger.  This next shot would end up in the water.  Nice try!

Tangie was able to sleep in from her usual time to work, and got up with the twins around 8.  They all hung out together at the house, prepared a sweet potato dish on the crock pot for supper that evening, and then went out to do some errands (i.e.  early shopping!)  during my round.  They were still gone by the time I got back home, so I quickly changed and rushed outside to mow the lawn.  It hadn't been done in 3 weeks and I wanted to tackle it before we had my family over Saturday evening.  My plan was to do at least half of the work, completing the front and side yards, and finishing the edging and trimming that day.  Then I would finish the backyard on Friday.  Tangie and the kids arrived home about a half hour after I had started mowing, and after a quick lunch she had them all down for naps.  Her plan was to hit Walgreens and CVS for their Black Friday deals after I came back in.  While she was gone I took a shower and snoozed with the game on TV, before getting the children up and ready to go as soon as she got back home.

We had been invited to join the Grodack's and their families at Ron and Elaine's home for Thanksgiving dinner.  Ron had put in the turkey in the oven before our round that morning, so we were all thinking about the bird pretty much the whole time.  We were joined by the rest of the golfing guys and their wives as well, so it was a good sized group.  We had some time before the sun went down to walk onto the 8th fairway and hit some golf balls on the green while the children ran around and chased each other and got their energy out.   Lots and lots and LOTS of food to go around, including 4 desserts, I was stuffed to the brim.  We were all extremely tired going in to bed that evening, especially for what we knew was in store for us the following day.

The children race down the fairway.

Getting a lift from big sister.

At the kids' table.

Beautiful table setting.

My alarm was set for 4:25.  And I wasn't even going in for work.  My first Black Friday off in 14 years, I swore I wasn't going to get caught up into the frenzy of the shopping madness I had experienced on the other side of the registers.  I even wrote a piece about it last week, on how we fall prey to the evils of marketing strategies and brand targeting.  No sir, not me!  Not this time!  I know better!  There is absolutely no way you're going to see me go shopping on...what's this?  A propane patio heater on sale plus $1 poinsettias at the Home Depot?  Good only on Black Friday?  Um...what time did you say they open? 

Blame Tangie on that one.  I wouldn't have even thought about it had she not shown me the ad on the way to Thanksgiving dinner.  I knew she was planning on going shopping.   She had done it last year and had fun getting good deals and so was planning on doing the same this year.  She even had her route and time all mapped out.  So with me being at Home Depot at 5 when they opened, I was expected to be back home by 5:40, so she could be on her way and at her first stop by 6.  I chose to go to the Home Depot in Apopka, and was the 18th person to get in line by 4:50.  People were soon parking and getting in line behind me.  How the heck am I going to do this?  I was wondering if I was just going to rush and grab the patio heater first, or go get a cart (those things are stinkin' heavy) and risk not being able to get one at all.  And why didn't I bring along my can of pepper spray?  The doors opened and we all quickly went inside.  But there was no pushing, no shoving.  People were in jovial spirits, actually.  I was able to get a cart and get the heater, luckily, as they only had 13 to begin with and I only saw 5 left when I got into line to checkout.  I also scored 10 poinsettias for the yard and party favors for Saturday's dinner, along with a couple of gifts and stocking stuffers.  You know, those impulse buys.  Curse you, will power!!!

My stash looks quite small compared to...

Tangie's loot, which included...

17 boxes of diapers and 12 boxes of wipes (+ a few presents in there too)!

I tried to go back to sleep when I returned but was too jazzed from the rush of the early morning.  Tangie's spree took her to Big Lots, Babies R Us (where she ran into Jen and Bruce who helped her get more than the allotted per customer stash!), Walmart, American Signature Furniture, Toys R Us, and Kohl's, all with minimal lines before spending 30 minutes at the Publix Deli getting us lunch and meeting us at the Scott and Long's Farm in Mount Dora by 10, where we met up with a huge group of friends to do the annual Corn Maze they have each year.  I just reread that last sentence and am wondering if I have to add the "they have each year" since I already stated that it's an annual thing?  Anyway, our group can never do anything small;  We have to make sure everyone is invited!  Grodacks plus grandparents and out of towners, Deiningers, Cochrans plus grandparents, Zbaraschuks, Bergherms plus out of towners, Clarkes, and us.  Most of us had purchased a Groupon for the maze and had planned on going there on Black Friday.  After a brief orientation from a very obnoxious guide, we made our way to the activities area.  There were two different corn mazes but we opted only to do the "mini" corn maze for the kids, and even that was big enough!  We even got lost for a bit, as they had us searching for 5 different color stations that the kids can put on their fingers.  Once completed they could look up their color pattern on the chart and get a specific fortune.  Apparently Braelyn's said that she "will have lots of romance in life."  Great.  I mean, it's good and everything, but now I've got to get prepared for all this "romance" that's heading our way.  Cursed corn maze fortune color chart...

Some of the group waiting in the shadows to get into the corn maze. 

Halfway listening to the rules and instructions.

In the "mini" corn maze, looking for color stations.

Braelyn gets a blue thumb!

A rickety wooden bridge that lets you see the maze from above if you get lost or disoriented.

A view of the Z's down below;  You really can't tell where the maze goes from the miles and miles of corn.

Braelyn and Calleigh enjoy the see-saw.

Mommy assists the twins on the swings.

View of the activities/picnic area.

Duncan is so corny, sneaking into the family picture!  I love Kohlden glancing at his mother.

Braelyn and Calleigh fish while Kieren looks on.  Too bad nothing was biting!

It was such a beautiful day and we had an enjoyable time with friends as the kids played, had a great lunch courtesy of Mommy and Publix, and even took some time to go fishing.  We headed back home around 1 so the kids could nap while I finished mowing the lawn and Tangie could continue prepping for our Thanksgiving dinner with my family for Saturday.  However, we had been invited to dinner at the Zbaraschuk's home along with the Johnson's that evening, and we were looking forward to spending a quiet, intimate meal with our friends...and all of our kids!  Amy had prepared a zesty and delicious spread of enchiladas, Spanish rice, and salad, and I ate to my heart's content.  And then some.  We enjoyed conversations afterwards while the children played, with the dads in one group while the moms talked in the patio.  It was 10 o'clock when we arrived home, just in time for me to start brining the turkey for the next day's feast.

Amy shows off a science experiment for the kids' entertainment!

At the kids' table.  Again.

Madelyn and her alter ego, Madalot.

Braelyn challenges the men to a game of the timeless classic "Hungry Hippos".



Braelyn inspects the start of the brining process to ensure it follows FDA regulations.

We skipped out on church again.  [gasp!]  I promise we'll make it back there real soon.  We had good intentions, and even had clothes prepared, but...no, enough excuses.  We didn't go.  I had to start the turkey no later than 11 AM for it to be done by 4:30, the cut-off time.  I needed prep time in the morning to butter and brown the bird, before locking it undisturbed in the oven for the next 5½ hours.  Timing is so important!  So we just enjoyed the Sabbath at home, listening to music, playing with the children, going for a walk, and cooking.  We were joined by my parents, both sets of grandparents, my aunt and her family, a family friend and his son, my cousin's romantic interest, and the Duncans (that's what my father called the Grodacks and it stuck) for dinner around 5.  Along with the traditional Thanksgiving dinner prepared by Tangie and myself, my family brought ethnic platters to add, including pansit (rice noodle dish) and egg rolls, and (by request) Corey's world famous brownie delight.  By the way, that turkey was not only the biggest I had ever cooked, it also turned out to be the best one ever.  So moist and tender, it was an explosion of flavor with each bite taken.  After 10+ years of cooking the turkey, I think I finally got it perfect!  It was such a great time catching up with everyone and seeing them enjoying all of the food.  We would have enough leftovers to last us for the next 5 days.

Maddy watches the turkey in the oven, patiently waiting.

Loving onto Lala.

Kohl sits with Lolo while his great grandfather gives him a patriarchal kiss.

Dressed and ready to party!

International cheese platter.

Dessert section.

Thanksgiving dinner, buffet style.

We made sure to have enough sitting places.

We had a moment of silence...because everyone was busy stuffing their mouths with all the yummy food!

Corey and Duncan had fun showing us some apps on their phones.

The twins sit with one of their great grandfathers there, Grandpa Isidro.

My cousin Patrick and his "friend".  Such a stud muffin.

After everyone had gone, the children played with Lolo and Lala before heading off to bed.



Sunday was a catch up day.  Lolo and Lala had stayed the night and allowed Tangie and I to sleep in a bit in the morning.  They hadn't seen the children since before PumpkinFEST and were satisfying their cravings.  I started our loads of laundry and continued cleaning up from the night before while the kids went for a walk with the grandparents.  After they left for home and the kids' naps, we drove down to IKEA to look at some cubby shelving furniture Tangie had seen and wanted for the kids' stuff downstairs.  We saw several we liked but they didn't fit the measured criteria, so off to Target we went to buy two units, that I assembled and put together a couple nights ago.  Now to just get it all organized.

Going for a walk to the clubhouse that would be cut short when Braelyn fell off her bike and scraped her knee.

In IKEA standing in line to drop Brae off at the kids' play area.

Waiting for us in their individual shopping carts.

Trying out the kids' play area.

The new cubby and toy bin station.



This is a video of the kids dancing to the ending routine of each show on Nick Jr.'s Fresh Beat Band.  Braelyn has mastered pretty much the entire thing, with Maddy soon on the way.  Kohl still needs a little work, but notice the huge difference in coordination and balance between a girl and boy of the same age:

This week's randoms:

One word:  WOW.

So which is it, new or used?

A couple of meals prepared (i.e. leftovers!)

Barbecue turkey melt.

Cilantro turkey wrap.

I forgot to mention this, but last Saturday morning, I gave the twins their bottles and let them either fall back asleep in their cribs or play with the books they have in there.  We heard giggles and banging for about an hour when Tangie started to hear some cries.  She goes in the nursery to find Maddy completely naked, jumping up and down on her mattress, excited as can be.  Meanwhile, Kohlden is sitting in his crib pulling at his zipper, saying "schuck...schuck" (stuck) as he couldn't get his clothes off like his sister was able to!  Luckily there were no accidents to clean up while her diaper was off!  Note to self:  they still need the PJ's with the snap over the zipper.

And there was one instance this week when Maddy and Kohl were really starting to bug each other.  They both wanted the same toy [again] and were pulling and crying and just getting really frustrated to the point of hitting.  To the rescue, big sister comes between them and says:  "Guys, we have to work together!  We're a family!"

Go Team Green!



And that is exactly right.  Have a great weekend!