Turkeys, tarantulas, 3 pounds...oh my!

Thanksgivng: the recap
Do not attempt to ingest, let alone digest the following unless you are a trained professional. In other words, don't try this at home. Ever.

• 1 Apple pie
• 2 French Silk pies
• 1 Pecan pie
• 1 Pumpkin pie
• 1 Turkey/trimmings
• 1 Lemon cake
• 1 defrosted birthday cake (abandoned after multiple attempts)
• 6 quarts of ice cream, assorted flavors
• 1 batch sugar cookies
• 2 packages of Fudge Sticks
• 1 bag of frosted animal cookies

Are you detecting a theme? It was all rather gluttonous; parents, tweeners and Foos alike vying for sweet treats like a bunch of burgeoning crackheads. On the rare occasion a slice was still standing, we'd duke out eating rights by playing cards: winner takes the slice, losers do push ups (number determined by how badly you lost). Suffice to say, my pecs paid the price for the card gods did not shine kindly.

Thank goodness for Pinnacle Peak, Spur Cross Trail and Camelback Mountain.

To battle the bulge, we hiked. The usually hot AZ temperatures were replaced with a snappy November chill which garnered Ms. Foo a fashion-worthy, purple-fringed angora scarf—kindly knitted by Grandma Meems (in between making pies and cookies and such). Up and down Pinnacle Peak we went, passing like-minded folks thanks to a blistering pace set by none other than Auntie Kenno who never ceases to make us feel slightly unfit. Camelback brought us bouldering and Spur Cross reminded us that we were traversing desert terrain as Mama Foo almost squished a tarantula during her hiking fervor.

After packing and a concerted effort to button ones pants, after 5 days it was time to head home. Upon reflection, it was a drama-free, non ER visit, flaming turkey ball-less kind of Thanksgiving. Just the way Foo likes it.

And now, onto Christmas. Although Foo is seriously rethinking the chocolate-filled Advent calendar.