Thursday, November 27, 2014

Gobble Gobble

This day was fast and furious!  The cooking frenzy had me going and forgetting to get those blog worthy pics!  I made the usual menu...turkey, stuffing, gravy, pies...just to name a few!  The family gathered here at the Pines. (Over the river and through the "creepy" woods!) Big and small, young and old.  We did the seating a bit different this year.  I had such good success with the tables in the livingroom at our Halloween party that we decided to try it for Thanksgiving.
We had 14 for dinner, and being able to all be together in the same room was great. Usually we can fit 8 around the regular diningroom table and then the split comes in...little ones at a separate table, or others gather in the kitchen area across from the diningroom. Not really fun for being together.  This new arrangement worked out great.  We ate, laughed, told stories and just enjoyed the time together.  Our son who lives in Oregon (Portland) skyped and we were able to say hi to the other grandkiddos and family out there..not as nice a being here in person, but we're thankful for technology.  I would have loved to share pics of the annual pumpkin shoot out...only the pumpkins were nonexistent. The very cold temps and then warmer ones made them into mush the other day. I actually had to get a snow shovel out and scoop the messiness into the creek.  I hope the deer and other critters had a little feast on the seeds and pumpkin meat!  Maybe we'll have better luck next year.  Soon the time had come for going home.  I did snap a few pics of the kiddos. I look at their faces and can't believe how old they are getting!  Summer was only 3 when we moved to the Pines..Anthony, Cameron, Addy and Lexi...not even born yet.  Time moves on and this year is flying. I'm glad we have this special day to think of our blessings...say our thanks to the Lord for all we've been given and for surviving those challenges we've also been given.   I feel blessed with family, friends, church, work, and technology that lets me connect with others all over this world who make blogging so much fun.   Here's a few of our blessings:
Addy and Lexi with their favorite dolls.
Anthony and Cameron...2 of my favorite dolls!
Jackie and Evelyn
Driana with her "arm knitted" scarf that she made in about 20min! I kid you not...or knot!
Sister Summer...I have to laugh at the girls change of hair color...Summer, usually a blond, is now a brownette..and Driana had red hair today....Ahhh youth!
We did have plenty of food.  This is just the last of the desserts! 
Hope your day was great...my sign says it all.

16 comments:

Shady Del Knight said...

Hi, dear YaYa! It's great to see all the smiling faces at your annual Thanksgiving get together. I have been following you long enough to notice significant changes in the grandkiddos over time. How blessed you are to be surrounded by such a happy and lovely family. I hope you saved a "doggie bag" for my buddy Eddy to enjoy next time he visits. I'm told the Abominable Snowman who lives in your Creepy Woods considers mushy pumpkin meat a delicacy. Thanks for thinking of him!

Happy Thanksgiving, dear friend YaYa. I wish you a safe and sane Black Friday and a wonderful weekend!

betty said...

It looked like such a delightful day for you and your family!! Glad those that could be together to celebrate were there :)

betty

Kim said...

I was going to say the same thing as Shady - I've watched the grandkids grow up on the blog. Isn't Skype amazing? Its great the other family could visit on the screen.

gin said...

What a wonderful day. I get sad when some of the family can't be there in person. But able to Skype or phone talk helps to hear their voice or see them. Now on to the next holiday.

Nonnie said...

You truly are blessed! Family, food, get togethers and making all those memories throughout the year. You are passing on such great traditions there in the Pines.

Julia said...

Yaya, sorry I'm late and out of breath. Got beaten up by a bad snowstorm and lost power and internet. I just got it back at noon today. With no wood stove you can bet I was cold. Very cold.

Your family sure is growing up fast. The girls are looking sweet, no matter the hair color.

So glad your Thanksgiving celebration was so uplifting.
Hugs,
JB

MunirGhiasuddin said...

Awe, such wholesome family pictures.
God bless you and your family.
I think that having two round tables is a good idea.

Rick Watson said...

Sounds like a great day. We had a good day too.
Jilda, her sister, brother, nieces and nephews cooked a TON of food.

We made it mandatory that people take food home with them so by the end of a day, we had little left.

You have a lovely family Yaya.
R

Hilary said...

I love reading about your family gatherings and seeing your lovely group. So glad you had a fine time.

Deb Shucka said...

I always love experiencing a bit of your wonderful family through your writing and pictures. I didn't realize you have family in Portland - just a short drive from where I love. Small world!

Stacy said...

Aww family time.

Willow said...

From the looks of all the smiling faces ~ you had a lovely time at Thanksgiving. Ours was at my moms house and lovely as well ( no food fight this year ;)

Lux G. said...

Adorable family! Everyone looks so happy. Hope you have a wonderful December. :)

Karen Whittal said...

Sounds like fun, wish I could have tried your food, we had an African Thanksgiving I made sweet potato pie with marshmellows.... do people really eat it like that??

CatieAn said...

I am so happy you were able to share with so many of the kids and grandkids. Isn't that what celebrations are all about? We were over on the coast and had an early Thanksgiving with all of our kids and grandkids and we had such a great time as well.

Susan Anderson said...

Looks wonderful. We had 19, and my turkey even turned out to be moist. Hurray!

Christmas will be a little quieter at our house. I think it will be fine to have just the immediate family.

=)