Happy Thanksgiving!
We took the opportunity to count our many blessings and celebrate all of the good in our lives. Gathering with extended family for any occasion is one of the greatest joys of life.
With Grandma and Grandpa away on a mission, the holidays are bound to be different this year.
Three of our favorite families accepted the invitation to join us for Thanksgiving dinner in Trenton: The Thompsons, Hursts, and Westenskows.
We are glad that David's Dad could also join us.
That made 15 guests. Altogether, we served 22 people!
This is a run down of our fun day together:
Preparations were simple: clean the house, cook the food, set the tables.
The girls enjoyed setting out the appetizer--just like Mormor used to serve.
It's a tradition. Raspberry sherbet with cranberry juice to "cleanse the palate" prior to the meal.
With Grandma and Grandpa away on a mission, the holidays are bound to be different this year.
Three of our favorite families accepted the invitation to join us for Thanksgiving dinner in Trenton: The Thompsons, Hursts, and Westenskows.
We are glad that David's Dad could also join us.
That made 15 guests. Altogether, we served 22 people!
This is a run down of our fun day together:
Preparations were simple: clean the house, cook the food, set the tables.
The girls enjoyed setting out the appetizer--just like Mormor used to serve.
It's a tradition. Raspberry sherbet with cranberry juice to "cleanse the palate" prior to the meal.
Abel carved the turkey.
David made the gravy and cooked the corn and Brussel sprouts.
Sheri brought rolls and sweet potatoes.
Katy brought the pies.
I made the stuffing.
When it was all hot and ready, we sat down to enjoy it.
These cute girls helped us serve the meal.
Sheri brought rolls and sweet potatoes.
Katy brought the pies.
I made the stuffing.
When it was all hot and ready, we sat down to enjoy it.
These cute girls helped us serve the meal.
Every turkey who came was stuffed!
After the meal, everyone helped clean up and we moved into the family room.
Then we called Grandma and Grandpa Thompson via skype.
After the meal, everyone helped clean up and we moved into the family room.
Then we called Grandma and Grandpa Thompson via skype.
We invited them to our talent show.
All the cousins who wished to participate shared a talent with us.
Grandma and Grandpa enjoyed the show from their little box.
I suppose you could say that they had "box seats" at the event. :)
We heard Morgan, Emma, Kari, Kiersten, Taylor, and Amber play pieces on the piano.
Brigham played his trumpet, Isaac, the recorder, and Lisa sang for us.
Uncle David attempted a piece on the French Horn and Uncle
Abel gave his impersonation of a famous guy that used to perform at our family nights.
And Uncle Scott slept through it all. (Let's face it--that's a talent!)
Grandma and Grandpa applauded all these talents and said they loved to see us all together.
Each grandchild also displayed their holiday art and received a certificate for it made by Lisa.
Here is Rachel putting the finishing touches on Morgan's turkey--which became snacks for later.
Clever!
All the cousins who wished to participate shared a talent with us.
Grandma and Grandpa enjoyed the show from their little box.
I suppose you could say that they had "box seats" at the event. :)
We heard Morgan, Emma, Kari, Kiersten, Taylor, and Amber play pieces on the piano.Brigham played his trumpet, Isaac, the recorder, and Lisa sang for us.
Uncle David attempted a piece on the French Horn and Uncle
Abel gave his impersonation of a famous guy that used to perform at our family nights.
And Uncle Scott slept through it all. (Let's face it--that's a talent!)
Grandma and Grandpa applauded all these talents and said they loved to see us all together.
Each grandchild also displayed their holiday art and received a certificate for it made by Lisa.
Here is Rachel putting the finishing touches on Morgan's turkey--which became snacks for later.
Clever!
After that, we ended our call with Grandparents and played games and enjoyed each other.
We got to keep the Thompson kids for an extra day! Cousins are the best friends!
We played lots of games and made some yummy treats together. 
On Saturday, we brought them home and visited our newest cousin, Tyson.
He's a cute addition to his fun family!
We also stopped by to wish another cousin, Jordyn, a happy birthday.
We played a game and went shopping at Ikea with her and Julie.
On the way home, we drove around temple square to get a peek at the lights.
Beautiful lights, crowded streets.
We were grateful to get home safely.
Then today we enjoyed going to church and enjoying the spirit and the messages there.
We have so much to be grateful for!
He's a cute addition to his fun family!
We also stopped by to wish another cousin, Jordyn, a happy birthday.
We played a game and went shopping at Ikea with her and Julie.
On the way home, we drove around temple square to get a peek at the lights.
Beautiful lights, crowded streets.
We were grateful to get home safely.
Then today we enjoyed going to church and enjoying the spirit and the messages there.
We have so much to be grateful for!
