Nightglow Window

Thanksgiving

Since I posted such a long-winded post yesterday, I thought I'd let photos and captions tell the story of Thanksgiving 2006 at my brother's house in Bluebird Canyon, Laguna Beach.


My Brother and his son Matt in the newly remodeled kitchen.


After about six month's worth of demolition, design, and construction, my brother's kitchen is nearly done. The cabinets need doors and a finish and the glass circular table at the end of the counter needs to be installed, but everything else is finally done.


Christy and Matt.


Me and Matt.


A pilgrim: 1 part white cranberry juice, one part vodka, a wee bit of sweet vermouth poured over fresh cranberries. Danger Will Robinson!


Jennifer kept the pilgrims flowing -- curse her!


The O'Brien men on the upstairs deck.


My dad.


Matt. "Get a haircut ya damn hippie!"


Bluebird Canyon from my brother's deck, Thanksgiving 2006.


Instead of ye olde traditional fare, we had lobster, shrimp, refried beans, black beans, stuffed chilis, flour tortillas, and salad for dinner. Dessert included apple pie and pumpkin cheesecake. It was a wild assortment, but yummy.


My dad tried and tried to bait me into a political conversation, but I bit my tongue till it bled. I'm getting wiser in my old age.


The O'Brien men as the sun begins to set. Almost time for dinner.


Me and the bean. Photo by Caitlin.


Sunset over the ocean. (click to super size)


Caitlin, Hannah, and Sydney.


Caitlin and Sydney head down to dinner. The kids had turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing -- you know, the regular Thanksgiving stuff -- although Matt and Caitlin also macked on the shrimp and lobster. Christy, who usually doesn't care for seafood, nevertheless ate the lobster and shrimp and said she really liked it.


With dinner safely tucked away, the O'Brien's juvenile delinquent streak shows up as we begin "the great pumpkin roll" down their street. Matt dragged out his lights and we rolled two huge pumpkins and about a dozen smaller ones down the street where they careened into cars, smashed into garages, or simply broke apart in huge messes. I know, real mature -- but fun!


Matt with his spotlights.


My brother, "the great pumpkin roll" instigator.


Sydney runs down the street to see where the latest pumpkin ended up. Note the bare feet. This went on for about 30 minutes and the neighbors seemed to take it in stride. I guess you'd have to if you were neighbors with my brother. ; )


Christy frees one of the big pumpkins from underneath an SUV and heads back up the hill to roll again.


She just won't roll anymore, captain!


"The great pumpkin roll" complete, we head back inside for coffee and a return to sanity -- well, sorta.


What happened to your face Duchess?


The party is over and it's time to drive home and Hannah lets us know exactly how she feels about that.