Thanksgiving in Rochester, NY

This year we decided to spend Thanksgiving with Spencer & Kristin in Rochester, NY. Everyone understood that Kristin's notoriously good cooking was a big persuasion on our decision of where to spend Thanksgiving this year. We are happy to report that we were not disappointed!
We had a fabulous Thanksgiving meal with all the traditional foods-- turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and she taught us a new sweet potato recipe too. We made them chopped up with apples and brown sugar with marshmallows on top. They were delicious! We also had homemade rolls, and of course pie. Kristin helped me make a homemade pumpkin pie that was tasty, and we also had homemade apple and store bought pecan pie. Yummy!

Mom making the sweet potato dish

The boys played football while the girls cooked 

Dessert Time

In addition to eating excellent foods, we had a wonderful time hanging out with the kids. We took the 4 oldest back to our hotel one night for a sleep over. We let them watch a little TV, and then we took them swimming in the indoor pool. The next morning we ate at the breakfast buffet and the kids thought that was really fun.

Knox in the swimming pool at the hotel

Grandpa Tutu and Sam working on swimming lessons

Mary was having fun with Aunt Natalee--she outsplashed all her brothers

J has become a very confident swimmer

The kids were all in the "zone", as they watched Mythbusters on TV. We thought it was funny so we snapped this picture. I think Sam was the only one who even noticed we were watching them. Hahaha

The following day was Spencer & Kristin's 13th anniversary, so we tended the kids while they went out to dinner and did a little shopping. Dad and I took the oldest 4 kids to see "The Muppets" and out to dinner, while Mom stayed home and tended Baby Lea. We were also treated to a lovely family concert! Each of the kids has an instrument now (J--drums, Sam--bass/french horn, Knox--guitar, Mary--violin, Lea--jingle bells), and they have a real family band! We were very impressed by how good they sound!

J on the drums

Knox on the guitar

Sam on the bass, Mary on the violin, Knox and Spencer on the guitar, and Lea doing jingle bells

Kristin on the violin and J on the drums

We also took the kids to "Powers Market", a local pumpkin patch that was decorated for Christmas. The kids got to feed the animals in their petting zoo, and we all had a doughnut around the fire. 

Lea and Mary were very good helpers 

Everybody at Power's Market. It was cold that day. 

Lea at Power's Market. She did not want to wear her hat and gloves, but she was still a good sport. 

Homemade Doughnuts in front of a warm fire

On our last day in Rochester, we had an early Christmas celebration. We played Christmas music, decorated the tree, and even did a gift exchange! It was so fun and it really felt like Christmas that day.

Decorating the Christmas Tree

Mary opening the first present

Knox and Grandpa Tutu

 

 

 

The boys liked their puffy jackets

 

Grandpa Tutu and the girls

 

 We had such a wonderful time visiting with Spencer & Kristin's family. Thank you SO much for the delicious food, your impressive musical talent, and for opening your home to us. We love you guys!

Nolan's First Picture with Santa!

"Museum of Clean" Opening Celebration

The blog has been neglected for the past week because we have been consumed by getting things read for the opening of "The Don Aslett Museum of Clean". Yes, it was finally opened to the public this past weekend, after much anticipation.

Kevin (center), Scott Huckstep (far right), and some other dude. These guys have all been working VERY hard to complete the construction of the building and try to make Don's dreams into reality.

Nathan Eldridge (far left) and some other people constructing the play area inside the "Kids Clean World".  

The basement level, Jerilynn Mecham (right), working hard to get her displays finished in time for the opening. She does a fun "chimney sweep" display downstairs that people seemed to like. 

The concession stand, where Nat has been working. There is a theater around the corner with some talented local actors doing a "Clean-Theme" puppet show and audience participation game show. Both received positive responses. 

Lots of people turned up for the opening, a couple hundred on both Friday and Saturday.

Tobi working at the front desk

This is what you see on your left when you first walk in the building, the Kids Clean World. 

And this is what you see on your right when you first walk in the building, the Noah's Ark Replica. 

 Mom was very pleased with being in charge of the "All Things Clean" Gift Shop inside the museum and she has been working very hard to get not only her store, but many other areas in the museum ready for the public. Without her long hours and tireless efforts the museum would not be nearly as well-off as it is now.

The "All Things Clean" store in its last stages of preparation. Big thanks to Janet and Dennis for driving up and spending lots of time in helping us get the store and other areas of the museum finished in time.

Customers milling around the "All Things Clean" store on Opening Day. The products--especially the "Giant Microbe" stuffed animals and the kid-sized cleaning supplies were very well received. 

The Art Room

Inside Noah's Ark. Kids were making "rain sticks". 

Standing next to the Kids Clean World, looking out toward main entrance. Old-Time Candy Shop on the close left, and main front desk is left-center. 

Don was doing his favorite thing, which is talking to people and showing them around the place. Here he is demonstrating the garage of clutter. People got a kick out of this. 

garage of clutter demonstration from another viewpoint

The word "clean" in 50 different languages around the world, with flags to match. 

Larger-than-life trash can, where you can walk inside and learn about the huge amounts of trash that are produced by Americans each year. Very interesting. 

Even though this picture makes the room look empty, there were many people who stopped to sit down in the "Cinema Room" and watch this video of Don explaining the museum. Thanks to Neil for making an excellent movie! 

The Library was Dad's pet project. He worked hard to organize and catalog the many different cleaning-related books in this library. 

We are relieved that the opening weekend is behind us, and we are looking forward to having some downtime with Spencer's Family this weekend in Rochester. We will be having Thanksgiving with them and "early Christmas" too.
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!