Thanksgiving 2010

So we actually cooked Thanksgiving dinner for the first time in years at our place. It was kind of fun, especially since Joe did most of the cooking. We had some good friends over. We didn't actually eat the Thanksgiving dinner until 7 that night, which is by the far the latest we have ever eaten on Thanksgiving. Pro- the actual cooking isn't stressful since you have all day to make it. We just snacked on crackers, veggie tray, and this amazing spinach/artichoke dip all day. (Afton ate all the ranch dip herself unfortunately.) Con- You can't each as much pie since your stomach doesn't have as much time to settle, which is really sad since we had some amazing pies. I have to say 8 pies for 5 adults and 3 kids is a pretty dang good ratio!

Afton had a blast playing with Toby. All the food tasted amazing and came out well minus the sweet potato pie soup. Still not sure what happened there, but the turkey was the best I've ever had although it is my philosophy that you really can't screw up turkey. If its overcooked and dry, you just add more gravy and you're good to go. :0) Anyways, the turkey only took an hour and a half to cook (it was only a 10 lb-er,) but it was really juicy and tender, even the white meat. And Joe made this awesome stuffing with sausage. I don't even like stuffing, but this stuff was fantastic. The sweet potato pie tasted good as well, just soupy. We even made frog eye salad but completely forgot about it and left it in the fridge. Oops.

Overall it was a good thanksgiving. A little hard without Logan, but then I think most of the holidays will be. Anyways, I am thankful for all of my family and friends-they're great.

The New and Improved Afton Fashion

Thangiving Pie Plan 2010

Last year, I explained my 1PPP plan. This year, Thanksgiving is just going to be us and our friends the Cramers. It looks like we're going to exceed my ratio.

We're making an apple pie, pineapple pie, tollhouse pie, and a pumpkin cheesecake. The Cramers are making the pumpkin pie and a banana cream pie.

That's 6 pies (cheese cake is a custard pie, for 4 adults and Afton and her 'boyfriend' Toby. I am happy.

The rest of the menu consists of turkey that I'm making, stuffing (I'm making.. it's experimental.), gravy, frog eye salad, Mrs. Wood's sweet potato casserole, green beans, rolls, and mashed potatoes.

All Hallow's Eve, and Grandma!

It is most definitely fall here in Northern Virginia. Leaves are changing colors, nights (and days, now) are getting colder, and political campaigning has peaked.

That means it's time for: Halloween!
Yes, there's the picture everybody wants to see: Minnie Afton Scoresby. She even left the headband on for 2 more seconds after the picture.

Although the cuteness is undeniable, Afton didn't win any prizes at the ward party. Perhaps because she wouldn't leave the headband on.

For actual trick-or-treating, though, Afton wore her cat costume, because it got cold. (in the 40s) and that costume is much warmer.





















Mom brought the Minnie skirt when she came to visit, and brought crafting-ness inspiration for Tracy. Normally, I'm the creative one in the kitchen, but I can claim zero credit for this:















I can, and will, clam credit for this, though:


And a few more random pictures, just for fun:

Logan

Just over two years ago, a friend and former co-worker of mine from BYU lost his three year old son to cancer. Afton was, at the time, about 6 months old. I found about the cancer a few months after they discovered it, courtesy of his blog. I don't visit his blog often, and I had a new daughter, so the next time I visited the site was after his son had died. I remember, at the time, thinking about how difficult it must be for him and his family, and wondering if I could handle such a loss.

Now I know.

Yes, it is very hard. It's hard for me to choose and type these words, just because of the emotions they bring up, so I am pondering over each one.

While I miss Logan, most of the time, the pain and loss are gone, and I can now function as a normal human again. The emotional changes I've experienced are amazing to me. I often characterize myself as having "the emotional range of a teacup", and yes, I stole that quote. However, I know that for the first few days after his death, I wasn't functioning normally. I shaved each morning because I knew that I should. I showered, changed clothes, and ate because I knew I must. I functioned based on one thing: I knew that I needed to. Thankfully, Tracy has been here for me, and I feel that the Savior has lifted the pain of this separation from me. I only truly feel the burden of when I must contemplate it, like now. Often, I feel the joy of knowing that I will be with him again, and be able to do all the things I planned to do with him, like rock climbing.

Perhaps I'll post the full details in the future. Most likely, I won't.

To Logan, I miss you.

To Tom, I understand, in more depth than I had anticipated, how you feel.

Logan Matthew Scoresby, infant son of Joseph and Tracy Manwarren Scoresby, passed away September 1st, 2010 at the Prince William Hospital.
Survivors include his parents of Manassas; one sister, Afton Michelle Scoresby, also of Manassas; maternal grandparents, Marshall and Michele Manwarren of Danbury, Texas; paternal grandparents, Rene and Margaret Scoresby of Kronenwetter, Wis.; four uncles, six aunts and numerous cousins.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, September 5th, 2010 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Baker-Post Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 10001 Nokesville Road, Manassas. Funeral Services will be held on Monday, September 6th, 2010 at 10 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 8001 Barrett Dr, Manassas, VA 20109.Private interment will take place on Tuesday, September 7th, 2010.

Tribute to Logan

His smile could always brighten up your day
He liked to explore and find whatever he could on the floor
He liked to grab my hair
He liked to eat a lot
He liked to roll his way around in order to get where he was going
He liked to sleep with his blanky over his head
He liked to be held
He liked to play peek a boo
He liked Cocoa
He liked to laugh with Afton
He liked to smile
He liked to play with his feet
He made me laugh
He makes me cry

Afton loves her cousins.
She also loves the camera.