Thanksgiving

Oh yes, I know I am late. The official USA Thanksgiving Holiday was on Thursday November 22.
I could skip but I have a few (ha-ha) nice photos to share.

That weekend was also very special. Helen, Ben and William drove all the way from Nashville and arrived on Wednesday in good time. I had sauce for taco salad for dinner in the crockpot but a few things were still to prepare. I can't believe William is now old enough to be a real helper. He cut up a a lot of roma tomatoes to fill that red bowl.

On Thursday William could not wait to see his cousins. He kept asking when it was time. It was a bit a strange time. Omi was still not totally at "full speed", Sarah was in the phase of working the night shifts and had to sleep at day time, so we all decided to do everything low key and casual and just enjoy each others company. Because of the little ones it is much better to do that on their turf.

Finally the 4 cousins can play. I think we were there about 11 am. Its cold outside but not too bad for a little while.

Lego time.

Playtime with Auntie Helen.

Probably a little parade watching time (?).

Sometime between 5 and 6 pm it was Thanksgiving feast time. Wade's parents were visiting too. Wade and his father are experts in deep frying the turkey. So, so juicy.

We had brought some dishes too. Ben had made two different types of his terrific from-scratch-dressing and Helen made a super from-scratch-cranberry sauce. Sarah had taken care of other side dishes. Don't know how much sleep she really got. She also had found this incredible special table cloth. We all had fun with it. 

And who encouraged the children to make "funny faces"?

I am not sure what we did Friday but we had a good time. William won Farkle 4 times against James or me in 2 days. Right, neither of us even won ones. 

My $4.59 amaryllis from Lidl showed itself in all its glory. Perfect timing.

Saturday Papa and Omi took the two older grandsons to the Altria Theater to see "Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer" the musical, for the matinee. We were a little early and had to wait before we could go to the seats. Papa thought a cookie for each boy was the answer. James insisted that it was a grandparents duty to spoil. (smile)

Oh yes, and popcorn. Everybody else had it.

We think they both had fun. OMG, when we came out we each had to hold on to a boy because we were afraid they would be blown away. It rained so hard - sideways - but luckily it was not far to the carpark.

We had to bring Caleb back to his house. Wade's parents had left for their home though at lunch time. They have a 3 1/2 hour drive. Helen and Ben came too and we all had dinner together again. 

And then Sarah had to go to work. The sisters and cousins had to say good-bye to each other (until after Christmas when Helen and William come for a visit again) and we went back to our house too.

Sunday morning early - Helen had asked for us to make sure to wake William and have him ready dressed and give him breakfast. He was terrific and cooperated. He has always been a good traveler. At 7:30 am they were on their way home because they were driving it all in one day this time. A few times they got stuck in traffic and rain at the end. We were very happy to hear when they had arrived safely.

It surely had been a long weekend to give thanks. The whole immediate family had been together. We had forgotten to take a family photo but so what. We had a laid-back casual time together.