Richie our Elf Returns!!

Thanksgiving night we found a mysterious package on our door step from the North Pole.  When we opened it up, it was Richie our Elf!!!  The box was full of goodies for a Hot Cocoa party: Three Christmas mugs, hot chocolate, ginger cookies, shortbread cookies, marshmallows, peppermint candies, chocolate santas, Christmas plates, and best of all Richie!

We were all so excited to see him!  I can't believe he is back & I can't wait to see what he's up to all month!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!  It is so nice to gather around the table and offer thanks to God for the abundance we have and to talk with each other and share our gratitude for our many blessings.

My new table's first thanksgiving!  It was fun to be able to spread out and have lots of room for lots of plates!

Our menu:

Roast turkey stuffed with butter and herbs - it was one of the best turkeys yet!

Traditional Stuffing

Mashed potatoes with cheese, cream cheese, sour cream, cream & butter

Rolls - Secret Family Recipe

Brown Eyed Baker's Homemade Green Bean Casserole

Homemade Cranberry Sauce

Homemade Strawberry Jam

Thanksgiving fruit salad - family recipe

Shrimp cocktail - family recipe

Fresh Strawberry pie - my friend's award winning recipe

Banana Cream pie - secret family recipe

Black Berry Pie (Claim Jumper - I have to cut corners somewhere)

Pumpkin Pie (Claim Jumper also)

We gathered with family and friends and ate and ate and ate!

Marbles even had his little sweater on for dinner.

 Marbles is the strangest Bangle cat - he won't eat meat.  Instead he sits at the table and begs for bites of roll.  What a weird-o!!!

 My little "photo boomer".  The kids were super silly after dinner!  All that waiting around to eat!!

I can't believe Thanksgiving is over and December begins on Sunday!!!  How fast the time flies!

Elf on the Shelf Ideas

I love our Elf on the Shelf, Richie.  Last year was our first year with an Elf, and it was magical.  I cried the day Richie left our family and returned to the North Pole!  My 5 year old is counting down the days until Richie joins our family again - Thanksgiving evening!!   It is fun to look at Pinterest and other blogs and see what other elves have been up to!  Here is a little recap of our last year's antics and some links to other elf mischief.  I can't wait to see what Richie does this year! Follow my Elf on the Shelf Pinterest Board HERE Richie & Rapunzel sharing a bottle of syrup

Of course the toilet papering of the Christmas Tree!

The M&M bath

 Crusin' around with Merida in the back of the truck

Chillin' in the freezer

Sleeping in

The underwear display

Epic game of Battleship with Rudolph

Dry erase marker on the school pictures

Crape paper barricade

Elf-size tea party

Red marker Rudolph Noses on the children

Again - hangin' with Rapunzel

Popcorn party gone out of control

Good advice

Jokes are a hit with the 9 year old crowd!

Lego mini figures feeling neglected

Just fishin'

Richie loves his princesses!

Hanging by a stocking

Hiding in the wreath

Playing with the Vinylmation collection

Buckled up in the car


The day before Richie had to go back to the North Pole (December 24th) Richie was granted extra magic which meant we were able to hold him - but only that day.  This was such a thrill to my little girl - this was the most special day ever.

Elf antics from around bogland.......

@ Over the Big Moon
Hanging from Candy Canes @ Happiest Mom on the Blog
Hanging from Ornaments @ Happiest Mom on the Blog

Snowball Fight @ Crazy Lou Creations
@ Dandee-Designs

Elf Kissing Booth @ Living Locurto