Thankful…

I am indeed thankful for so very much. We had such a wonderful Thanksgiving here in the mountains. I think I have the best family in the world. We cooked a very tasty dinner in a very small kitchen and no one got out of sorts. The turkey didn't get all the way done in the very center, so we ate what was done and it was just fine. The grandkids got to eat outside and they loved it. All in all we had Tawna, Nathan, Faith and Chance, Taya, Kevin, Lauren and Emersyn (the mini family), Jade, Jeff, Jaxon, Ryker and Aden, Gramma and Papa Harmon and of course Grumpy and I. It was one of our smallest groups for a holiday, but it was memorable just the same. I didn't even get a picture taken through the day - shame on me. R.B. and Stacie had Thanksgiving with Stacie's Mom and Summer and Jamie stayed home and hosted Robert this year. They all had commitments that made traveling to us not possible. Papa K. went to celebrate with Tracy and Kevin's family. Bob and Sydney hosted Sydney's family in their new and improved back yard. We really missed those who could not be with us and although I know they can't always come I feel their absence. I hope they know how very much they were missed and that I hope their holiday was good wherever they celebrated.

We said goodbye to most of our men as they left a little while after dinner. They went to hunt elk. I hope they get one or even two if they get a chance. I would love to get some elk meat into the freezer and into the pantry. We should buy stock in the Ball Mason Jar Company. I hope they are having as much fun as we are here at the cabin. Gramma and Papa said goodbye about the time the guys did as they had a drive home to do. Gramma brought us her always good pecan pie, a jello salad that is a tradition at the table and her very good sweet potatoes. Our dinner menu consisted of the usual items……

Turkey and dressing, whipped potatoes and gravy, sweet potatoes, cauliflower and cheese sauce, green beans, candied carrots, corn, and cranberry sauce both whole berry and jellied. Butterflake rolls and butter and the pineapple/cheese jello Gramma made. Earlier in the day we baked Apple, Cherry and Pumpkin Pies and Gramma brought her famous Pecan Pie to add to the decadent desserts. Whipped cream of course for topping them all. No one went hungry.

Taya and Kevin also had to leave a little later on Thanksgiving Day so they could go home and yep, move into a different home. They had an opportunity to move into a house much closer to their preferred school for their kids, so they took it. It will save a lot of dollars in gas as Taya won't be on the road at least and hour and a half every day on the school run. I know moving isn't fun, but once settled in is almost always worth it. They had a lot of fun (I hope) on their stay with us, and I know we enjoyed them. Kevin spent some time hooking up all the audio-visual equipment to get us up and running with music and the various forms of T.V. Now I just have to remember how it all works. Thanks Kevin for the help - expect lots of calls as I try to master the art of making it do what I want it to.

The kids spent part of the day going to Bison Ranch to see what they could see there. They came home and got carrots to go back and feed the horses. They all liked the horses. Later after dinner Aunt Jade got out her Moon Sand and they did whatever you do with Moon Sand outside on the table. It sounded like a grand time for all.

I ended up sick most of the day on Friday, but after sleeping a lot got up in the afternoon and enjoyed a movie day with Tawna and Jade. We watched the series that begins with Love Comes Softly and got the five I have done by bedtime. I guess I'll go buy the sixth one to complete the series next time I am in the bookstore. I don't know how many there are, but enjoyed watching those I had. We took a break after the first 3 and had another Thanksgiving dinner (yay for leftovers) and played some games with the kids. We introduced them to Charades and I so wish I had gotten the camera out for that. It was too funny to watch them try to act out their choices. We went on to letting them show us their best talents. Almost as funny as Charades. Then we went to I Spy and a thing Jade does with her kids at night sometimes. She calls it Hi/Lows. She has each kid tell her their lowest point of the day, and even sometimes discuss what brought that about and then the Highest point of the day and how it made them feel. It was sweet to hear their answers. Then we had family prayer and they went to bed. It was very peaceful and I loved that we could spend that time together. We then finished our movie marathon and went to bed ourselves. I am experiencing an overflow of emotion so am up blogging in the night. There just aren't words to describe how grateful I am for my family.

Tomorrow, or I should say later today we will put Christmas up before returning to the valley for our various commitments. I can hardly wait to see Christmas in each of our homes and enjoy the spirit that brings into our lives. We got Tawna's Christmas done last week as she is hosting her Relief Society's progressive dinner on the 4th. I had to go home after we decorated to find my Christmas music. I am looking forward to the Christmas Fireside that will be broadcast this Sunday. We will do our annual tour of the Mesa, Arizona Temple lights to further feel the spirit of the season. I will also as my gift to my sister Jacque go over and spend some time helping her with her tree. Next will be Gramma H. and possibly Taya if her move goes well. Then there is Summer and Jade to Christmas up. We'll see how their travel time and house plans work out for their Christmas decorations. Stacie has just her tree up sans decorations, but needed a new tree stand so it is the leaning tree right now. I love this season and am looking forward to it this year more than ever.

I really missed my birthday lemon pie this year. I didn't get around to making one, and Stacie was miles away this year. I had an emotional day Wednesday as I thought of all the Thanksgivings past and was overcome by memories of Nana. All the little things she did as she prepared for the celebration. Monday before was usually a cornbread and chili day as she needed cornbread for the dressing. Doing a brine for the turkey so it would be moist and flavorful. Baking those wonderful pies she was such a master of. Setting a beautiful table and getting it all done on time. I even miss that she was sometimes a bit on the grouchy side in later years as all of that prep was so hard on her. She finally started letting us help more as she physically couldn't do it all anymore. She so loved the holiday meals. So did we. Big shoes to fill.

Maybe I can sleep now. Maybe.