Thanksgiving Memories

Our Thanksgiving weekend was full of family time. These are some of my cherished memories:

• Aliza and Josiah always pray for dinner at my parents house. On Thanksgiving Aliza thanked God for every family member (all 20+) by name. When she was finished Dad just said "I have nothing to add to that. Amen."
• There was lots of wedding excitement in the air. Us married sisters got to reminisce about our weddings and the preceding wedding planning.
• Josiah and Caleb played and played all afternoon. They even found some potatoes and turnips to dig in the garden.
• My only cooking responsibility was to make rolls for dinner. I know. I'm pretty much spoiled!
• Our drive to WV took forever! It was that hour long lunch stop at Panera. How can it take us so long to eat lunch??
• It was warm and sunny when we got to WV. Aliza wanted to get the pool out! We spent some good time outside. I've been loving this warm weather.
• Grandpa had his outside Christmas decorations up. Aliza was so excited when she went out to see them. She hugged Grandpa's neck and said, "You are so sweet. You are as sweet as a marshmallow."
• Jeremy got to golf.
• The ladies watched Pioneer Woman's cooking show while the men and children went for a drive to look at Christmas lights.
• Aliza loved watching TV in Grandma and Grandpa's room. She had the TV to herself--PBS was her channel of choice. Well, she doesn't have that many choices. She watched way too much TV.
• Josiah liked hanging out in the living room with the adults. He curled up on the couch next to Joel. He got to play with the cars without interruption.
• Anna just explored the house. She had Joel and Brandi and Grandma and Grandpa at her beck and call. Her 5th tooth broke through this weekend.
• Having a vacation from school was much needed. I can tell that Aliza and I both benefited from it. We are back in the routine today.