Thanksgiving dinner

It is quite a feat putting on a dinner for 27 people.   If we had the whole family there would have been 9 more people making a total of 36 people!  For some reason that would seem overwhelming to me.  Not even sure how we could seat 36 people in our home.  With all the girls help we prepared a delicious traditional Thanksgiving dinner.  It was delicious.  Everything prepared to perfection.

 Of course the day is always followed by table games.  Now with the kids getting older everyone wants to play.  We keep trying to get the teens to start their own games but they always seem to want to play with the adults.  This game below is one of the family favorites.  "What Were You Thinking".  It was one of those games that I bought from the internet and has ended up being the best find ever.

 Jeff introduced me to a new game called AlphaBetty.  It is a word game which always intrigues me.  He and I were busy playing that game while Greg and Maren were changing the screen to glass in preparation for winter.  I love seeing the glass replaced with screen much more!

Greg had just come off a long shift at the airport and I know he was tired so I really appreciated him taking some time to help his in-laws.  Thanks Greg!

Traditions

Thanksgiving morning I woke up to the smell of the turkey baking.  That wonderful smell permeates the house and I love it.  I laid in bed and thought of all the past Thanksgivings when I was growing up.  Mother always hosted Thanksgiving for the family.  There was always a feast of the traditional Thanksgiving meal along with her wonderful home made pies.  I have always loved Thanksgiving more than any other holiday for as long as I can remember.  Mother's birthday was the 27th so often her birthday landed on Thanksgiving.  Today, as I write this, is her birthday and I am missing her.

Back to the present.  Our family all met at Fat Cats at 10:00 for the traditional bowling.  We did things a little different this year.  Instead of having the teens and little ones bowl with their parents we put all the girl teens on one lane and all the young boys on a lane and the adults together on a couple lanes.  It worked out perfect.  Everyone bowled two games including the youngest of the group.

We always run into President Little and his family along with the Pikes from our old neighborhood on Cumberland Road.  It is a fun tradition and one that I hope we continue as the years come and go.
I didn't bring my phone, which is unusual for me, so I had to rely on my children sending their pictures to me.  Here are some of the pictures that came my way.

Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving preparations actually begin the night before.  I like to get the tables set up and some of the food ready to be cooked the next day, the turkey stuffed and in the oven at midnight and the rolls raising very slowly in the frig overnight.  It was also a night for sleepovers at Lynda Ann's home.  Jamie and I drove the three girls to Stansbury and left them there playing games.  I love that the grandchildren are taking up the tradition of table games.

 We noticed that Annie had some interesting things on the counter that she was in the process of making for Thanksgiving.  This year her idea didn't turn out quite like she had hoped so she bagged the idea and we didn't get to see the finished project.  She said it was supposed to be a turkey leg made out of pretzels and marshmallows and rice krispies.  However it just didn't come together.  We had a good laugh.

 Jamie and I drove back and picked up Neal and Tucker who had been setting up the tables and chairs.  We went to Cafe Rio for dinner along with a bunch of other people who had the very same idea.  When we got home we played a round of Shanghi and then off to bed.  It was a fun day.

A couple random birthday shots.

 Couldn't resist jumping in.  Probably the best picture of me ever!!

Cute Picture of Peyton

Emmi and I both thought this was Einstein but we found out that it was Mark Twain.  I think Tucker was the one who recognized who it was.

Tueaday evening

Maren and her children stopped by to visit.  Tucker went and bought pizza for everyone and then the kids put together gingerbread houses.  As Jamie and Maren were putting the houses together they soon recognized that the frosting does not dry in 30 seconds like the directions indicate so they decided to hot glue the frame of the houses together and have the kids then just decorate the outside.  Very clever and time saving decision.

After the house were finished and decorated we played a game of Shanghai.

Tuesday events.

I went to work planning on staying until about 1 or 2 when I got a text from Jamie that said, "When are you coming home?  It is boring without you here."  So I immediately closed down my computer and headed for home.  I thought Jamie and the girls might be visiting friends that day but they stayed home and I certainly didn't want to miss any moment I could have with them.  Jamie's sister, Karly, dropped by about 12:30 to visit.  I busied myself with making bread and chocolate chip cookies.  It seems to be a tradition now that when the girls come to visit, we make bread.  Peyton seems to be the one who is the most interested in the process.  She intently watches from the mixing, to the kneeding and then anxiously awaits for me to cut off her section of dough to do what she wants with it.

 Bread right out of the oven nice and hot.  Perfect for cutting and spreading with butter and jam.

Family Home Evening at the Gertsons

Lynda Ann invited us all out to her house for dinner, games and a Charlie Brown Thanksgiving celebration.  She had delicious potato soup and rolls and then surprised Lexi with a chocolate birthday cake to celebrate her 12th birthday.  Happy Birthday Lexi.  We LOVE you!

You will notice another grandchild reaches the goal of being taller than their Gam!  

What a fun evening.  Thanks Annie for having us all out to your home.

Monday Shopping

The anticipated arrival of the Tucker Maxfield family was experienced Sunday evening at about 9:00 p.m.  There is always so much to catch up on so the usual late night, or early morning, talk took place.  The kids gave out about 11:00 but the four of us stayed up until after 2:00 catching up our lives.

Monday morning I went to work for a couple hours and then picked up Emmi at the Trax station about 10:00 a.m.  Emmi wanted to go shopping with Jamie and have her help pick out a pair of boots. We hung out at the house and about noon headed over to Woody's Drive In for some hamburgers.

Tucker was at work but we talked Neal into coming just for lunch.  While we were eating we ran into some of Nanette and Verns grandchildren.  Neal also recognized one of his former students from UVU.  We all just laughed at the fact that Neal never goes anywhere that he doesn't find someone that he knows or thinks he knows.  He certainly isn't afraid to walk up to any one and asked them who they are or who their parents are.

After lunch, Neal headed home and the rest of us headed toward Fort Union that I so fondly refer to as the Bermuda Triangle!  Jamie and Emmi were both successful finding some boots.  The three girls spent their time trying on all kinds of shoes.  Peyton found the high heel row and was in 7th Heaven.  It was such fun watching the personalities of my four granddaughters.

The store didn't have the boots Emmi wanted in her size but had one pair out at South Towne Mall area.  We piled in the Jeep and headed to the South part of the valley where we were able to get Emmi's boots and, of course, try on more shoes.  

Emmi still wanted to look for some Levis but Jamie had to be at Westminster College to hear a presentation by Karly.  Tucker came from his work, picked up Jamie and Peyton.  After they left, Emmi, Jordyn Lyn, Lexi and went to the mall and picked up a pair of Levis for Annie and then drove to Old Navy to look for some jeans for Emmi.  That was a successful find.  We made one more stop at Target to get an i-tunes card for Lexi for her birthday and then home.

It was a fun shopping day with the girls and I think everyone had a fun time.  I know I did.

A fun Saturday

I love it when Neal spends a whole day with me just running from here to there, catching up on 'stuff', and having lunch or breakfast together.  That was our Saturday yesterday.  Friday morning I woke up with a Hyphema.  If you don't know what that is, it is blood in the colored area of your eye.  My vision was blurry and you could plainly see the blood.  I called the eye doctor and got in to see him early that morning.  Because he was at the satellite office in Sandy, he didn't have the equipment he needed to really check and see what the problem was.  So he made an apt. for me to meet him at the Salt Lake Clinic the next morning (Saturday) at 9:00 where he would do an ultra sound.

Saturday morning Neal and I drove to the clinic and my eye checked.  The blood was completely gone, my vision was normal and when he did the ultra sound he could find absolutely nothing wrong nor could he see any evidence of where the Hyphema came from or what might has caused it.  The only thing we could come up with was maybe I had strained my eye a little while rowing at the gym.

The doctor was surprised that it was completely healed but I smiled and thought that it was because of the prayer that Neal had said Friday morning.  Believe what you want, but I will stand by that forever.  We should never doubt the power of prayer, EVER!!!!

After the doctors office we went to Target to get gift certificates for sub for Santa and some groceries for Thanksgiving.  From there to my favorite stitchery place for some lettering.  Then to Deseret Book for Christmas stuff, then to Costco for more Thanksgiving shopping and last to Habit's for lunch.  Neal had heard about his place from one of his students.  It was good, but I'm still a fan of In and Out.  I took a picture of Neal because he just can't leave one crumb of food!

After a delicious lunch we headed for home so that Neal could watch U of U lose (**tee hee**) and BYU trounce Fresno.  I actually had a few more errands to run so had to go back out for a couple more items for the arrival of Tucker, Jamie and the girls.  They are arriving tonight and I can hardly wait!!

The Herriman football team takes State!

Jaden plays for the Herriman football team and the team took state this year.  What a great accomplishment for his team, for Jaden's participation and for the great memories for Jaden.  Taylor marched at almost all of the home games and at the Rice Eccles Stadium during the playoffs.  This is a cute picture that Neal sent me of he and Maren and another of Taylor and Jaden.

I also got a picture of Taylor with her learners permit for driving.  Way to go Taylor.  Amazing Taylor and Jaden are old enough to be driving!  Wouldn't want to pay their car insurance!!

Helping each other!

Lynda Ann is certainly a product of me and I her Grandmother Ross.  She always has numerous projects that need to be done for Christmas.  I always have my own projects that I want to get done as well.  The problem with me is that most of my projects involve Lynda Ann.  I don't mean to involve her but she is the one who comes up with the "how" to do them, I manage to come up with the "what" I want to do.  This year is no exception.  I drove out to Lynda Ann's with all the materials needed for her to put together what I had in mind.  We spent the day measuring, cutting, gluing, framing and admiring our work.  After we had finished mine and everyone was in bed, we went downstairs to her new basement, turned on the fireplace with the lights out, sat on the couch and reminisced about time and events in our past.  We talked about children, the challenges that they have to face these days that she didn't have to worry about and subjects about church and what we believe.  We even discussed family problems and how sad that there even has to be problems.  We stayed up well past midnight just enjoying the ambiance the fire created and being with each other.  This really was my favorite part of the whole time I spent out there. I slept in Emmi's BYU bedroom and the next morning we were back on projects again, this time Annie's.  We were able to accomplish everything she had ready to do.  Mallory, Abby and Hayley had their Women In Excellence that evening so I stayed for that.  Mallory played the flute and gave a talk.  Both were excellent.

I took some fun pictures but am not allowed to post them for fear someone will get on my blog and then there would be no surprises for Christmas.  I just hope I remember to take some pictures on Christmas!

Thanks, Annie, for all your time and labor and many good laughs and talks we had together.  I so love and appreciate your expertise when it comes to crafts and your willingness to help me along :-)  

Utah basketball

Neal and Nalen bought season tickets to the U of U basket ball games again this year.  They buy them together and then split them in half.  I enjoy going to the games and I have to secretly admit that I am always cheering for the other team to win.  Of course I don't tell Neal or anyone around me but I do a lot of silent cheering during the game.  :-)  I hoping that while Tucker is here for Thanksgiving or Christmas he will be able to take my place and go with Neal to a game or two.  I'm sure he will enjoy them much more than I do and he will be cheering for the Uts!

Changing out the china cabinet

It is that time of year again to change out the china in the cabinet.  Neal is the one who does the arranging of the dishes in the china hutch.  I spend my time taking out one set and putting it away as I bring out the new set and put it on the table for Neal to then arrange in the cabinet.  It is quite a process but we have the system down to a science.  Nice that we have all the sets of china that we do. We have Annette's china that we display and use in the Spring, the Americana dishes that we display and use during the summer months and the Christmas china that we display and use during November and December.  The cabinet is all decked out and ready for Thanksgiving.  All we need now is help from the boys to get the Christmas tree up!  Yes, we were listening to Christmas music the whole time!  Tis the season!!

 Neal making sure that it is just how he wants it.  Believe me, Neal doesn't just put the dishes in the cabinet helter skelter.  Everything has to be pleasing to the eye and in perfect placement.  Tucker thinks I'm anal about the table setting.  He should be around when Neal is arranging the hutch.

Snuggled in bed!

One of my favorite things is to be snuggled in bed on a cold winter night with a good movie and my stitching project.  I always have a project going and on waiting to be done.  A couple years ago I mentioned to Annie that I would love a "bed jacket".  I don't think she had a clue what that was but as we discussed it and she did her own researched she came through for me at Christmas.  I just had to take a selfie of me with my darling and very snuggle warm bed jacket on.  I love it Annie and wear it almost every night!

The Two Leaves

This is a story my mother used to tell me.
 
The leaves were falling from the great oak at the meadow's edge.  They were falling from all the trees.  One branch of the oak reached high above the others and stretched far out over the meadow.  Two leaves clung to its very tip.
"It isn't the way it used to be," said one leaf to the other.
 "No," the other leaf answered, "So many of us have fallen off tonight, we're almost the only ones left on our branch."
 "You never know who is going to go next," said the first leaf.  "Even when it was warm and the sun shone, a storm or a cloudbursts would come sometimes, and many leaves were torn off, though they were still young.  You never know who's going to go next."
"The sun seldom shines now," sighed the second leaf, "and when it does it gives no warmth.  We must have warmth again."
"Can it be true," said the first leaf, "can it really be true, that others come to take our places when we're gone and after them still others, and more and more?"
"It is really true," whispered the second leaf.  "We can't even begin to imagine it .Its beyond our powers."
"It makes me very sad," added the first leaf.
They were silent for a while,  Then the first leaf said quietly to herself, "Why must we fall . . . ?"
The second leaf asked, "What happens to us when we have fallen?"
"We sink down . . . "
"What is under us?"
The first leaf answered, "I don't know, some say one thing some another, but nobody knows."
The second leaf asked, "Do we feel anything, do we know anything about ourselves when we're down there?"
The first leaf answered. "Who knows?  Not one of all those down there has ever come back to tell us about it."
They were silent again.  Then the first leaf said tenderly to the other, "Don't worry so much about it, you're trembling."
"That's nothing," the second leaf answered, "I tremble at the least thing now.  I don't feel so sure of my hold as I used to."
"Let's not talk any more about such things," said the first leaf.
The other replied, "No, we'll let be.  But, what else shall we talk about?"
She was silent and then went on after a little while, "Which of us shall go first?"
"There's still plenty of time to worry about that," the other leaf assured her.  "Let's remember how beautiful it was, how wonderful, when the sun came out and shone so warmly that we thought we'd burst with life.  Do you remember?  And the morning dew, and the mild and splendid nights . . "
"Now the nights are dreadful, said the second leaf, "and there is no end to them."
"We shouldn't complain," said the first leaf gently, "We've outlived many, many others."
"Have I changed much?" asked the second leaf shyly but determinedly.
"Not in the least," the first leaf assured her, "You only think so because I've got to be so yellow and ugly.  But its different in your case."
"You're fooling me", the second leaf said.
"No, really," the first leaf exclaimed eagerly, "believe me you're as lovely as the day you were born.  Here and there may be a little yellow spot but it's hardly noticeable and only makes you handsomer, believe me."
"Thanks," whispered the second leaf, quite touched,"I don't believe you, not altogether, but I thank you because you're so kind  You've always been so kind to me.  I'm just beginning to understand how kind you are."
"Hush," said the other leaf, and kept silent herself for she was too troubled to talk any more.
Then they were both silent.  Hours passed.  A moist wind blew, cold and hostile, through the tree tops.
"Ah, now," said the second leaf.  "I .  .  "
Then her voice broke off.  She was torn from her place and spun down.
Winter had come.                  

From Bambi

Time to prepare for winter!

Today, Annie, Jeff and Abby came in to Salt Lake.  Neal and Jeff went golfing in the 54 degree weather while Abby, Annie and Abby and I ran some errands.  We also picked up Emmi out in the South part of Salt Lake.  She was here for a class assignment field trip.  She decided to not go back with the class but stay at home for the weekend.  She will go home tomorrow evening.  Jeff and Annie had a date night for the movies and eating out so they left in the early afternoon.  Neal went out and started cleaning off the patio.  He stacked all the patio furniture and cut down all the flowers in the pots and hauled the numerous pots to be stored in the garage until next Spring.  It was sad to see everything being put away for this year in preparation for the winter months ahead.  I did go out and sweep off the patio and help Neal do the finishing touches. Notice how dark it is.  It was 5:30 when I took this picture and I had to turn on the patio lights.  I don't love these short days!

 The pots all stacked neatly in the garage.

Didn't know you now have to buy air at the gas stations!

Monday evening when we came out of Market Street, Tucker noticed that Neals right front tire was almost flat.  We hustled up the street to find a gas station to put some air in the tire until he could get it fixed the next day.  When he took it in he found that there was a nail in the tire.  I took this picture because I couldn't believe that you have to actually pay for air!!!  Oh my gosh.  It cost Neal $1.00 to fill his tire.  Tucker is jumping for joy in the background after using his credit card in the air machine. Who would have ever thought that there would come a time that you would have to buy air!