Many, so many, good things start like this:

Last weekend we celebrated Thanksgiving with 12 others in our apartment. A Pyrex dish exploded. A turkey thermometer broke. But being near the people I love was comforting and good. And endless sweet potato leftovers with soggy marshmallows are hard to beat.

Here's a peak at our festivities, from brining the 18-pound turkey, whom we picked up from our farmer,

to setting the table (clearly, I'm working hard),

to mashing,

testing,

and wassailing.

It was our first thanksgiving with these pipsqueaks and their parents.

But not our first with this:

We've cooked 6 turkeys since we've been married, but this is the first time we had the forethought to take photos to remember.

Full table, dirty dishes, full hearts,

and so much pie!

The day after Thanksgiving, my parents came in and we had Thanksgiving part 2, with no broken glass on the floor and only slightly drier turkey.

And now (drumroll) let me present the newest accessory in our apartment!

The most wonderful time of the year is here!