Thanksgiving Update

Thanksgiving was another great holiday here in San Jose. The weather was beautiful, and we were able to get outside. Crystal and I decided to not make the pumpkin tiramisu - did you know the lady fingers have to soak overnight to soften??! We decided that after work on Wednesday we were too tired to cook or prepare anything, so we ordered . Thursday morning we ran to the grocery store to pick up a (delicious) coconut cream pie.

Here's a picture of Crystal's plate right before we said grace and dove in...

You'll see, moving in a clockwise direction, mashed potatoes with gravy, turkey, asparagus with bacon cheese sauce, stuffing (from in the bird and from a casserole dish), and finally garlic broccoli (not pictured are rolls and coconut cream pie). West and Sonoma also enjoyed a feast of raw turkey parts, and some cooked food as well.

On Friday, we went into San Francisco to meet up with our friends Tim and Becca and headed north to Sausalito, CA to go hiking in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. The weather was amazing and the temperature was much warmer than we expected. The views in this area of the shoreline are just stunning.

Here are some pics of our hike:

West, our mountain goat...

The family.

Tim and Becca

Sonoma and the Pacific (and a ship).

Mr. West - you can see why we keep them on the harnesses during this walk.

(do the math: Ocean cliffs + 8 month old excited puppy = Potential Hazards)

Another nice picture of us. Thanks, Tim, for your fleeting moment of photography prowess.

The Boys.

We then made a stop at the Golden Gate lookout point getting a picture reminiscent of "Full House".

"Whatever happened to predictability, newsmen, the paperboy, evenin' t.v.?"

Thanksgiving Menu

Dinner
Roasted Turkey
Sausage Stuffing (if we can find sausage without mechanically separated meat)
Broccoli and Garlic
Mashed Potatoes
Asparagus with Bacon Cheese Sauce
Gravy
Rolls

Dessert
Pumpkin Tiramisu

Drinks
Beer
Wine
(what else??!)

I'll report back with some photos and a "Diner's Review"....

Happy Thanksgiving!!  We love and miss everyone extra during the holidays....


(figured I throw in this strangely offensive picture of the first Thanksgiving)

Heather and Andrew's Wedding

Over the weekend of October 2, Crystal and I traveled to Boston to attend her cousin Heather's wedding.  She got married to Andrew, who we've been very close with for a few years now.  We're so happy for the two of them, and know they have years of happiness ahead of them.  Crystal and I had a wonderful time celebrating with each of their families, and it was over before we knew it.  Flying in on the red eye Friday morning, and leaving Sunday afternoon makes for a rushed weekend.  But again, the wedding was beautiful and it's always great seeing family.  Here are some pictures from the rehearsal dinner (Crystal was a bride's maid) and the wedding and reception.

 Me, Crystal, and Kenzie (Crystal's cousin) at the rehearsal dinner

 Crystal and me at the wedding

Crystal, Heather (bride, obviously), Tiffany (bride's sister, front left) and Kenzie 

Kenzie and Crystal at the wedding reception

The wedding cake was made by the bride's (and Crystal's) grandma.

Heather cutting the wedding cake 

Heather and Andrew... not quite sure why this ever became a thing a weddings!! 

Steven, Mom, Crystal, and me at the reception