A Kind Of Funny Thanksgiving Day

This year we took out my mom's good dishes, Which I picked out years ago for all of us kids give her for Christmas. The funny thing is that we didn't take any pictures of everyone at the table, etc. I took out the crystal goblets, Costco special, and everything. I found some little goblet like glasses at DI and bought them for the kids to use, with my everyday, plain white Corel dishes. Mariah was sure that there would be glass carnage before the meal was over, but the kids hung in there and we didn't have any disasters. I was pretty worried about it, but feel like the kids should have an opportunity to learn. As soon as they were done eating, we did let them go and play in the toy corner.

1. & 2. These are the only two pictures taken during dinner. Lincoln didn't take the bib msg in the second picture too seriously! 3. Poor Jon, you'd think he would sit down to rest for just minute in a less conspicuous place. Sarah came rushing in, "Where's the camera?" He does earn these little naps of his. Both at work and then again when he gets home, especially this weekend!

1. As soon as we could clear up after dinner, Mariah had the makings for these little turkeys. she and I have loved them since my niece made them for her young women's class years ago. The kids loved making them, smearing the frosting on everything within reach, 2. but Tati's face seems to say it all when they tasted the chocolate covered cherries. I "had" to finish them for some of the kids . . oh darn . . I do love those awful things! 3. Sassy helped me help the kids make some oranges into pomanders. I have loved those since my mom brought one home from work, many years ago. We will see where all they end up! The rinds were pretty tough, so I cut off some bamboo skewers to help them poke holes. Arianna did such a neat little job of it all. Garrett finally got the idea and made lots of holes, but shoved no cloves into them, so mommy help get them done. Gabriel dorked for a while and then got serious so that they could have one to take to Grandma JoClaire this weekend. Then he insisted that Grandpa Joe also needed one. I know JoClaire will love it, but would love to be a fly on the wall to see Joe's reaction! And then there is Tati . . . that little girl can skewer like a real champ! She is so funny, so strong and seems to have no concept. She was shoving that bamboo right through that poor little defenseless orange. It can be a little scary to see what she can pick up and haul off. I'm afraid she makes her boy cousins look just a little puny, and has no clue. Some day, it will be kind of funny when she and the boys realize this . . . . Aunt Sassy became the official bow maker and help make sure no one at that end of the table got business done

It was fun having a couple of visitors this year. 1. Paige and 2. Nathan thought our family was just a ball of fun! . . . well maybe not, but I was glad that they were relaxed on our home. 3. the rest of the party animals that weren't even watching football. It was so funny seeing what was showing up on the boob tube. Never did find out who was picking the programing while Sassy and I were making pomanders with the kiddies. Paige is Brianna's foster sister and Nathan served in the same mission as Sarah, Las Vegas Nevada west. He was a pretty good sport at taking the ribbing we seem to generously hand out. He recognized Sarah in the hallway at church on Sunday and she invited him over for Thanksgiving. I am so glad that our kids know they can always bring others to our home, such as it is ;-}

1. Lincoln's happiest moment the whole day. He almost looks like a girl, doesn't he? 2. I think these little cousins are so lucky, growing up together. They are so cute and fun to watch when they are getting along. And then are the moments when they act more like rival siblings . . . Yikes! 3. I wondered if I really wanted to clear that corner. But the kids were climbing all over everything, so thought it was time. What is it about little kids that is so darned cute watching them from behind? Especially when the little tiny ones are in there with the older ones!

1. Lincoln's hanging on and trying to further explore where others have gone before him, the sock box. All the boys have loved digging through this old grub box. The girls seem indifferent to it. 2. Aunt sassy showing Gabriel how we make sound when we talk. I told him there was a little guy in your throat who makes the sound when you talk, he didn't buy it. 3. Poor shy withdrawn Garrett had all the grown ups draw emergency vehicles for him. Daddy made the fire twuck, mommy made the powice car and he had Nathan draw the monster twuck. Nathan was pretty surprised when he got hit up for a drawing. I had Sarah warn him that when he walked through our front door, he was family. You would think all the pies filling, apple peeling, & etc. he did on Wednesday night would have convinced him.