What do you do on Black Friday?

Today was spent running just a couple errands this morning with Jamie.  We stopped at Philips & Company to have her ring fix and altered some.  Then to Lyndsy’s salon to buy some products and then to Deseret Book and Zurchers (sp) and then home.  The afternoon was spent decorating the tree and setting up Christmas Decorations with the help of Peyton, Lexi and Jordyn Lyn.  Tucker and Neal even stepped in and hung some ornaments.  It is always nice to have that project out of the way and be able to enjoy the festive atmosphere of yet another Christmas Season.

Jamie, Tucker and the kids met Maren and her kids at the movie theater.  A totally last minute decision!  The scurried out the door to get to the theater on time.  Neal and I went to a viewing for Thatchers.  Sad to lose someone any time but during the holidays (I think) would be a bit harder.

We all rounded the corner and landed home at about 7:30.  Emmi came in from Stansbury to spend the night and the Jeff Hintze family stopped by to visit.  CJ and Justin are in town.  How fun to see them.  We love those boys and miss them and wish they lived closer to the family.  Jeff and his family left about 10:30 leaving CJ, Ryan and Grayson to play games.  Around the table we had Neal, Lyndsy, Emmi, CJ, Ryan, Jamie, Tucker, me, and Derek!  Grayson was by Derek most of the evening but didn’t actually play.  We played What Were You Thinking and Color Me.  Both games had us in tears most of the night, we were laughing so dang hard!  We thought Lyndsy was going to start in labor!  Everyone left about 3 a.m.  Typical of how late our family usually plays games.  We just don’t want the evening to end!

Some pictures of Friday:

Now the next picture is fascinating.  Mindy put her phone in the middle of the table, standing on it’s end and it vibrated its way in a circle taking a picture of all of us as it went around and stopping where it started.  You can tell that we were all fascinated with the whole concept! (Well, except maybe Justin!)

Justin drawing a caricature of Ryan.  Pretty good!

The Christmas Tree

It has become a tradition to set up the Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving or the evening of Thanksgiving as the boys are getting ready to leave.  The tree is huge and awkward to put together and takes more strength than Neal and I have.  So, the tree was brought down from the loft and set put together Thanksgiving eve.  Thanks to Derek’s help!  Jamie and I just chilled during the process.  Oh, and it is also Greg’s job to change the screen door back to the glass door during Thanksgiving!  What would we do without help from our children.

My favorite socks to chill in.

I have no comment for this picture of Dee!

End of the day

Hanging out, playing games, juggling, stitching a giraffe for Taylor, and getting ready to begin the Christmas Holiday.

It was a wonderful, fun filled day.  Thanks to all the family who contributed the fun, laughter, food and love.  After all is said and done isn’t that what Thanksgiving is all about?  I was especially grateful this year to have Derek with us.  We love you Derek and will miss you greatly when you go back to China.

After dinner surprised and activities

Derek brought all his nieces and nephews gifts from China.  There was a lot of excitement and because there are so many gifts to hand out he had the kids draw names to choose the color they wanted.  Some fun pictures of that very exciting moment.  Thanks Derek for being so generous and thinking of your nieces and nephews who adore you!

The day continues . . . .

After bowling we all came back to our home to prepare for the traditional Thanksgiving dinner.  Maren brought the fruit salad, Jamie brought pies, Lynda Ann brought the rolls and Lyndsy was supposed to bring her famous salsa and guacamole, but being pregnant her mind has gone out the window and she forgot.  Of course we had to give her a bad time about that.  Our dinner consisted of Turkey, dressing, corn, carrots, potatoes and gravy, fruit salad, rolls, all the trimmings topped off with the traditional pumpkin pies.  It was a delicious dinner.  Everything made to perfection!  The first picture are our rolls raising in Lynda’s van while we were in bowling! 

These were the little turkey name place cards that Lynda Ann and her girls made.  I think her comment was that she would never make them again!  One of those projects that looks darling but very time consuming to put together!  Thanks Annie!!