These people are at the top of my Thanksgiving gratitude list. They make me crazy happy and they make me crazy…I could be cliche and say I wouldn’t want it any other way, but that would be lying because I could do without some of the whining and crying and be just fine! 🙂

Our Thanksgiving was a little smaller than it’s been in years past. Several of Steve’s siblings spent time with their in-laws in the area which meant we had a small-ish group of 28.

Thanksgiving 2017

Thanksgiving 2017

With the Turkey Trot in the morning, I did most of my food prep the day before to make sure I could fit it all in. The rolls were made and shaped into knots and then frozen the day before. Thursday morning I pulled them out of the freezer and let them rise before baking them just before heading over for dinner. Fresh rolls without the same day hassle = win.

I also made my mashed potatoes the day before. I was skeptical of the whole idea, but my friend who caters gave me a recipe to be made the day before and then put in the oven the day of. They were amazing and you would have never guessed they were made the day before. My friend did let me in on her little secret – a potato ricer (she prefers this electric version of the ricer.) I’m from Idaho, the land of potatoes, and I had no idea what a potato ricer was. But after using hers to make my potatoes, rest assured there will be a ricer in my kitchen! It fluffs the potatoes just right without over mixing them. It is a game changer!

Thanksgiving 2017

Thanksgiving 2017

Thanksgiving 2017

Briggs was entertained with this chocolate mousse cup for some time. Each dip of his spoon had just enough mousse for him to taste it but not enough to make a dent in his cup very quickly. I found him unattended enjoying this cup. My immediate reaction was – that shirt is going to be stained in no time. To my surprise, over a half hour later, there was no pudding on that shirt!

Thanksgiving 2017

Thanksgiving 2017

The adults had a corn hole tournament in which Steve and I found ourselves in the championship game. I’m still not sure how we lost, but I suppose its best not to beat  the people that are hosting you! We had a great time.

Thanksgiving 2017

Thanksgiving 2017

Thanksgiving 2017

We came home that night, threw on a Christmas movie and got to work decorating. My favorite season has officially arrived.

Life with Fingerprints is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Visit here to see a complete disclosure statement.