THANKSGIVING

  Thanksgiving was a beautiful day outside.

It wasn't real warm but it wasn't cold either.

It is the first time I have ever considered eating outside...
It really wasn't warm enough for that I don't think.  I think the lure of having ample space for the table was the reason I even entertained that thought!!!

We had a wonderful table, we all ate at it. We combined three table to make the length we needed.  We set it with 3 varied cloths.  And it was beautiful.

We had 4 turkeys this year.  I only took photos of two of them though.
The other 2 were cooked and eaten before I thought to take a photo.

While the food was finished being prepared all the little ones and men went out to rake leaves, or make piles of leaves to play in...

Everyone brought wonderful tasting food... that was enjoyed by all...

       

We loved that everyone was here this year, except Liz who was on her way to So. Africa to visit her parents who are serving a mission there.

After dinner Kate & Abby brought a tradition of Poppies and Grandma Cathy's!!

We enjoyed a Turkey pinata'. It was a great hit with all the kids!!

The day settles in and we all are stuffed sitting around and out come the adds searching for Black Friday bargains!!!

They all work out their wake up and departure times for the bargain hunting to begin. A tradition Becky and Cory brought into the family!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

We recognize we are truely blessed in so many ways.  Certainly to all be together.  Certainly protected, and blessed in so many many seen and unseen ways.  We have thankful thankful hearts...

The day comes to an end we find we still have the heads of 2 pretty proud turkey's!!

Helpers or Angels

Angels arrived this morning.
They pulled up and got out of their car.

They came in work clothes.
They started helping right away.

The leaves were raked.
The leaves were hauled to the garden.

And it was completed much much sooner than it would have been if these angels had not come to help!!

Thank you Thank you.

A wonderful gift to Russ!

MOUSE HOUSE OR HOUSE MOUSE

This Mouse hasn't spent time outside until this morning.  Everything had his attention and alert.  He was intriqued by all the things he saw and all the noises he heard.

It was delightful to watch his amusement at the ordinary things and noises.  His little tail just stayed bristled the whole while he was out front.

Now later in the morning he went into the back yard and climbed trees.  I think it didn't take long for him to acclimate to outdoors.

We may find Mouse house as Anna calls him and House Mouse as he has enacted my not fit him anymore!

He has found the wonderful outdoors!

Birthday Boy

Anna let him choose which knife he wanted and then she gave it to him.  She gave him an option to choose two but one was what he wanted!!

The day started with the Birthday boy having to wear the famous Birthday hat!!
He had his breakfast at his own private table in the living room.  We eat out there on special occasions and also when there is no room in the family room!!

This was a special occasion... and we had a filled family room!

I love his image in the mirror or the hats image!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BIG RUSS!!!!!!

Russ' gift

I have already mentioned on more than one occasion what a gift Russ has of finding wonderful finds in his thrift haunts....

These were for my birthday and I absolutely love them!!!

Red Boots

How cool are these!!!

I think that everyone needs a red pair of Cowboy boots once in their life...

Christmas Music

For my birthday I got a wonderful recording of last years Choir concert with David Archuleta.

We loved the performance last year and I couldn't wait till the holidays to listen. I have heard it through 3 times today. Breaking all rules no Christmas music until after Thanksgiving.  And I have to say listening to Christmas music has gotten me into the holidays both looking forward to Thanksgiving and Christmas...

I highly recommend this cd!!

Thanks N&B.

Family Dinner

We had a great family dinner last night.
We enjoy when everyone comes over on Sundays.

We took our Chrismas photo last night also. I am excited to see it.

If only there was volume we might know what Elsie is telling us!!!!

Paris

On Anna's way home from Israel this month, she had a layover in Paris.

She bought the wonderful colored and filled macroon cookies that are in Vogue right now.

She shared them with Russ and Spencer and me.  We all enjoyed slicing each one in fourths and then voting on which ones each thought was the best. ( We had a coconut, pistashio, praline, raspberry flavored macroon. Two of each flavor. ) You can invision a bright lime green colored, beautiful raspberry color, light cream color as well as a yellow macroon. That makes 8 cute little macroons. )

Needless to say it was a fun treat for her to share with us... We all enjoyed it very much.  Well I forgot to take a photo of these fun macroons housed in this darling box in a wonderful gift bag...

So when I realized I just lost a wonderful photo opportunity I decided I would share with you the fun housing of these wonderful macroons!!!! We had 8 bright colored macroons tucked perfectly fit into this cute little box!

Thanks Anna for sharing with us. Also sharing your trip to Israel and its experiences with us. We loved it!!

My Friends

I had a great time with K&A&C yesterday!

Abby was pretty excited to have her dad's old phone.  She was also excited that they had gotten their Dad a new phone for his Birthday!

Carson loving his Dad's slippers...

Carson wasn't the only one wearing others shoes!!

Proud turkey of Abby's!

Abby had straight hair today... I think I have only seen her a couple of times before with her hair straightened.

We drove to pick up Kate for the first time today, it was so cold outside...

No carseats we were only on the side streets, these kids sat real still...

Kate is always so good to love Carson when she gets home from her day at school!!