Thanksgiving

Yes, I realize that it is no longer Thanksgiving, and that Christmas is right around the corner now.  Last week, all week, I wanted to post this, but "things" kept coming up!  I'll be posting about those things in my next post, so keep your eyes open for the next post! 

 

I had an amazing Thanksgiving.  I was thankful to be able to drive with Dan down to Pennsylvania for two days and spend the day with my entire family.  I was able to see my 11 nieces and nephews and chat with my sisters and brother-in-laws. 

 

I took pictures while I was there, but my phone continued to die rapidly, so most were taken with my Ipad (resulting in blurriness) or I borrowed from my sister. 

 

I enjoyed spending time with my niece, Ella.  I regret having to live far away from my nieces and nephews often because when I come back to visit for short visits, they are shy and nervous around me.  Ella is one of the few who warms up extra quickly, and likes to spend time with me because I sometimes wear earrings and nail polish. 

I sometimes think of her as a mini-me, because I was EXACTLY like that when I was a little girl.  I loved anything pretty and shiny. 

So please, pardon all of the photos, but I couldn't help taking so many of Ella's little adorable expressions. 

 

Martha and I

 

My mother planned out the whole meal, which turned out delicious.  She decided to use all root crops as the vegetables in the meal, which Dan thought was different.  He had never tried sugar beets, white sweet potatoes or celeriac.  😀

 

Mark always has the funniest poses for pictures.  He is holding my newest niece, Charlotte. 

 

Sarah, little Willy, and Billy.

 

Martha, Ella, Sawyer and I.

 

The family dinner.  Oliver, Lizzie and Isabelle were the only people missing since they went to Lizzie's parents for Thanksgiving. 

 

Lydia and Charlotte.

 

My parents and Charlotte

 

Toward the end of the evening, after wearing out the games hide-and-seek, "I spy", and hide-the-object-and-find-it, I read a few stories to the older nieces and nephews. 

 

I have so many things to be thankful for.  But the thing that most comes to my mind when I think of the many blessings in my life is my family.