LET'S PRETEND it is still November, because I am feeling nostalgic about Thanksgiving. (Besides, it has taken me this long to be able to figure out this blog thing!) What does it take to make the best thanksgiving ever?
How about Deborah and kids flying in four whole days early, Bex extending her trip a week, and then add the Livingston clan, mix in the Sotos-- and what do you get? Bedlam? Close! Nineteen grandchildren, nine adults, food, fun and conversation, even a football game in the morning at the Livingston home. This year's dessert menu was awesome: homemade pumpkin and sugar-free apple pie by Becca; homemade pecan pie by Lane; cheesecake, banana cream and chocolate pies by Cisco (with Marie Callender's help). If I were Becca, I'd have taken a picture! (And she did.)The weather was great and the turkey was juicy. Sarah and I made homemade rolls to accompany raspberry freezer jam and all the traditional yams, cranberry jello salad, etc. The turkey leftovers go on... and on... and on... disguised as turkey enchiladas, soup, and salad till we all opt for a good ole hotdog!
Here are some highlights we'll all remember:Making gingerbread houses while Mitchell eats the candy and graham crakers. Megan likes the frosting. Grandma is doing her darndest to make the two stories stand up! In the next picture are the youngest grandkids eating their food at the bar. Luckylittlekidsgettogofirst. (I'm still learning how to work this blog this.)
That was a good one!
Here is the illustrious cast.
Becca waits for her cue in the play.
A few of the pictures laboriously created hours before! Such budding talent. Paige and Eliza were the main artists, I believe. Note fairies and castles.
The play has begun! The playwright is a bit nervous.
This is part of the script for the play written by Megan and assisted by Lindsay. It was very elaborate and detailed!
That was a good one!
Matt tries to fit in a little work, but talking is more fun.
Here is the illustrious cast.
Becca waits for her cue in the play.
A few of the pictures laboriously created hours before! Such budding talent. Paige and Eliza were the main artists, I believe. Note fairies and castles.
The play has begun! The playwright is a bit nervous.
This is part of the script for the play written by Megan and assisted by Lindsay. It was very elaborate and detailed!
Time for a pose.
Our California girls keep the cousins happy no matter what they are doing. Such sporty, fun girls.
More rolls, please.
Eliza was only one of many dancers! Notice the other girls working hard on their props for their play.
Below, Mitchell and Hayden enjoy the pleasant weather outside. There is magic in the trampoline.
Mitchell turned three while he was here, and a birthday party was a great way of extending the holiday fun. Below, I get a hug from our party-maker Becca.
Must have been another momily!
Grandpa gave all the little kids rides on his wheelchair.
There is always hot chocolate if Becca is around-- and it is usually fancy!
We all enjoyed having a baby around. Who can resist marshmallow?
If you don't know how to play football, you can always ride the....ball?
Couldn't resist this photo. Have you ever seen Dave more relaxed? Must be the pie.
I've got it! No, I've got it! Wait... Where is it?
All right, this is the strategy!
And here's the big game! The weather was so cooperative, and competition is intense!
It's nice to have cousins the same ages and to sit at the table without the grownups!
Peter and Hayden are inseparable and find they have common interests -- pirates, trampolines, swords, and jokes.
Being together and seeing everyone enjoying themselves, mingling with cousins and hoopin' and hollerin'-- what could fill us with gratitude more than the happiness that was here during the best Thanksgiving ever.
Where Becca goes, good aromas in the kitchen follow. So do all the hungry children!
Our California girls keep the cousins happy no matter what they are doing. Such sporty, fun girls.
More rolls, please.
We just finished going night driving to see all the lights on pretty houses. It was very cold. Mitchell could not refrain from singing his own version of Jingle Bells at the top of his lungs going and coming. ("Dancing through the snow, in a one-horse open sway...")
Baby Jane tries out her own version of Jingle Bells.
This is a favorite! Grandpa's McDonald's train was magical, though we had a hard time keeping it on the track because the wheels are so tiny and delicate.
We got the tree decorated. Everyone helped.
Eliza was only one of many dancers! Notice the other girls working hard on their props for their play.
Mitchell turned three while he was here, and a birthday party was a great way of extending the holiday fun. Below, I get a hug from our party-maker Becca.
Must have been another momily!
Grandpa gave all the little kids rides on his wheelchair.
There is always hot chocolate if Becca is around-- and it is usually fancy!
We all enjoyed having a baby around. Who can resist marshmallow?
If you don't know how to play football, you can always ride the....ball?
Couldn't resist this photo. Have you ever seen Dave more relaxed? Must be the pie.
I've got it! No, I've got it! Wait... Where is it?
All right, this is the strategy!
And here's the big game! The weather was so cooperative, and competition is intense!
It's nice to have cousins the same ages and to sit at the table without the grownups!
Peter and Hayden are inseparable and find they have common interests -- pirates, trampolines, swords, and jokes.
I will also remember : playing Skipbo and drinking rotten Martinelli's apple cider while Nathan cheats to liven things up-- (Scrap Skipbo); lunch at the Training Table because no one could get into the house without a key; amazing and delightful plays written by Megan and Lindsay with an incredible script, props, and sixteen drawings from the pens of Paige, Becca, Eliza, and Julia; Mitch in his Buzz Lightyear PJ's; Cabella's with Cisco and Dave and families; Mexican tacos at Cafe Rio one day; taking lots of videos; watching the little girls color and draw reams and reams of pictures; and much much more. I went to bed happy every night (and usually very full!)
Being together and seeing everyone enjoying themselves, mingling with cousins and hoopin' and hollerin'-- what could fill us with gratitude more than the happiness that was here during the best Thanksgiving ever.
4 comments:
Mom, it was a wonderful thanksgiving! Thank you for having all of us and going to so much trouble to make sure we were all having a great time. It's nice to see all the pictures with your little sayings to go along with them. And hooray that your blog finally is up...even if it is a few months late!
Great job, MOM! Yahoo! No one is keeping track of time. I'm glad you're helping us with this whole family history thing. We're going to have a huge flower garden full of June roses in December. Love you!!
The first one is the hardest, Mom. It does get easier! Just so you know...that is Mitchell and Hayden on the tramp, not Peter. I'm sure they were out there together, too, at some point though! I loved remembering it all through your words. You are a dear host and a wonderful Grandmother with many children and grandchildren that couldn't love you more!
wow grandma! you are a great blogger :) you're doing a lot better than me :)
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