THANKSGIVING SO CAL STYLE

This is us...We're the LeCheminants (minus a few for the Holiday). Clearly, we know how to have a good time, especially at Thanksgiving and especially in Southern California.

"Hosting" Thanksgiving at our place was a first for Matt and I, and I dare say it was a success. I was amazed by how full our fridge was on Wednesday evening...jam packed, filled to the brim (The fullest I have ever seen it). However, I was also amazed that it was almost empty Sunday afternoon! I guess our bellies had become "jam packed, filled to the brim." Matt says that's just what happens when four LeCheminant boys are present. Therefore, I salute you Renee, for all the grocery shopping, cooking, and dish-doing for more than four boys and for far more than four years :)

Thanksgiving Day: Cooking...Lots of Cooking...Lots of Gratitude...Lots of Dishes. Renee taught me how to make a real turkey, like the ones in the movies with the stuffing inside. This was the full bird, not just the breast meat. When Renee pulled out the "parts package," Matt and I set off trying to identify the "parts" anatomically. That's what happens when a nurse and a dental student help make a turkey. The turkey turned out delicious thank so to Renee's expert skill.

We really cooked all morning long and into the early afternoon, mind we did take a break to get some tickets to Harry Potter. However, our labors were not in vain. Check out this feast!

It was a blend of traditions. Grandma Carr's stuffing, Grandma Balle's Yams, Renee's Turkey, Balle spinach salad...The blend was yummy. After dinner, we rolled over to the theater to see Harry Potter, a perfect way to let the food settle and be entertained.
But, our Thanksgiving Celebration lasted more than just one day!

We played at the beach...

A little football....

(Yes, that spiral is totally Matt's Mom...Had to post it.)

With a LOT of strategy and trick plays :) ...


Some Frisbee...


In the sand...but just Tom...

Who has lost a few inches of his height, I might add...



And Yes...Even in the water for Jake and Tom.
We continued to celebrate with food...
Crepes...
Brownies...
LeCheminant Pizza...


And a Hike to the Hollywood Sign amidst game reports from our family correspondents, Stacy and Tara. I was also priveledged to find that I had my own signature ring tone on Renee's phone.



Tom planted a treasure. A weed growing out of manure. Must be some magical fertilizer. Fellow Hikers couldn't help but notice this magical phenomenon.

Why not have a haircut from our own SoCal barber while in town?

Or a tour of the UCLA Dental School?



It was a fabulous holiday full of food, iPAD ceramics, photoshoots by Jacob (post coming), games, and most importantly...Family. We love being together. We're the LeCheminants.