Before it is actually Christmas, I absolutely must tell you about our Thanksgiving.
We had a houseful of family and friends and it was one of the best Thanksgivings we’ve had in a long time. It made me realize once again how blessed I am to have family and friends to walk through life with.
The whole gang.
Two of them are my first cousins from California, along with their spouses and families – Jonathan and Dana Gish, and Caleb and Lexy Wray. We also had our good friend, Deryck, here for the week.
It was such a blessing to get to know them all better and to reminisce about old times.
We spent many, many happy hours around the table, eating good food (which they all helped make), and having such good conversations. I love kitchen table conversations!
It took quite a bit of organization to get everyone fed. They all helped so much. As you can see from the next picture, sometimes I just held babies and watched it all happen! I loved that job.
Such precious little people.
Our days were filled with much laughter and fun times. One of the highlights was watching Lowell shoot part of our Thanksgiving dinner from the living room window!
They were even brave enough to prepare the turkey for the brine. In FREEZING cold weather.
Turkey feathers were souvenirs for these CA little people. Plus, we made extra ones into feather hats.
These guys made us huckleberry pancakes one morning!
I thoroughly enjoyed the babies. God must have known I was deficient in baby hugs and sent me two sweethearts to squeeze all week long.
Whether it was playing with the big people, putting together Legos, or just hanging out in a big pile on the couch . . . these cousins had fun together. There were no strangers at the end of the week.
Then came Thanksgiving Day. Our wild turkey was served along with the two store-bought ones and they were all delicious!
Isn’t there something called “dinner-and-a-show”? Well, the show came next.
First came the skeet shooting. And of course some of them wanted to shoot Lowell’s various guns. Earplugs were passed out freely – the children thought these were great! After all, who doesn’t want something that is bright orange and fluffy like Easter candy. Besides, you actually get permission to put it in your ears!
Now this picture won’t seem like much, but it was the aftermath of the first segment of “the show”. Lowell had bought some tannerite to have some fun with on Thanksgiving Day. And please don’t ask me what that actually is – all I know is it is some kind of explosive!
In this picture, the men had also used gasoline and we ended up with a giant explosion and a big fireball. That was my favorite one! What was funny was watching the men trying to decide if the few flames in the grass would go out on their own or not. There was a pause for a few moments . . . and then a dash out to the field with shovels in hand!
They also had fun blowing up an old washing machine, but that is a long story and explosions are very hard to get on camera. Suffice it to say, I think the rest of us got more delight just hearing the roar of laughter from Lowell over that one!
I love these ladies. They are as dear to me as sisters.
When the younger ones would get put into bed, we would sometimes hang out in the living room. Hearing each other’s stories of God’s grace will be some of the best memories I have of this week.
I had prayed before they all arrived that this would be a week of peace, renewing and rejuvenation. God answered my prayers. Actually, He went way beyond what I even expected.
Isn’t our Lord like that?
Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
Ephesians 3:20
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Bea says
sound and looks like a wonderful week! One that I would enjoy and like!
Kendra says
It was indeed special!
Bonnie Lou Miller says
Loved this!!! Dana was so excited about their trip and how lovely it was. Kendra, you are reminding me much of your mother. It was so nice to see your family, Calebs and Jonathan’s all mingling!!! What precious memories!!!! Jonathan and Dana’s children had a lot to share. So thankful they got to get away and enjoy family time!!!! Blessings to you, Bonnie Miller
Kendra says
Oh thank you! I get reminded often of how much like my mother I am…..it’s a blessing. We were honored to have them all here, and are thankful for the precious memories made!
Regina S says
What a wonderful gathering for you all. I love all the pictures. I thought the two ladies in the picture with you were your sisters. They almost look like you even though they aren’t related to you.
Have a blessed week!
Kendra says
Actually, the lady on the left is my first cousin! The lady in the middle is a cousin by marriage. 🙂
Laura Graber says
I just caught up on this blog….What a busy, busy, memorable time!
Kendra says
Yes, it was special!