The Year that Is: Thanksgiving Day

I was just going to post pictures, just a quick little photo story of our day. But, well, I can't. I keep thinking of little snippets that I want to remember later and Goodness knows that this tired mama won't remember unless it is written down. 

Little Snippets:

We started off cleaning because I can't relax unless I've cleaned the house first. (I think I inherited that from my mom.) Then we cooked and cooked while the little ones coughed and coughed. Poor Dominic had a fever and a cough. He was such a trooper all day, sweet and enthusiastic even though he did not feel well. Kolbe took an epic nap until it was time for photos. Then he would only sit on Collette's lap if he had a marshmallow squished between his fingers. Grandpa and Miss Laine loved on the kids and listened intently to every story and were up for any game. The littles enjoyed their company so much! A really amazing Thanksgiving dinner followed. Aren't all Thanksgiving feasts supposed to be amazing? Well, mine aren't. Last year, I set fire to the sweet potatoes. This year nothing caught fire so I call it a win! Olivia ate an amazing amount of candied sweet potatoes and Collette poured so much gravy over everything that it looked like stew. My favorite was the green bean casserole with smoked gouda in it. Oh, that was a little slice of heaven. Afterwards, we dove into the apple and pumpkin pies, squirted whipped cream in mouths (Kolbe did NOT like that!), and then laid down for a food coma nap. A hot fire warmed the house, little flowers encircled the lights with thankful thoughts, and life was just so very good. I am most thankful!

Thanksgiving

 This is how we spend Thanksgiving: 

1. Taking endless photos of the children while Stephen makes funny faces, but not too funny as then we end up the littles looking like monkeys.

2. Eating tremendous amounts of outrageously good food.

3. Swimming in the spa.

4. Watching football.

5. Eating more food.

6. Acting in a super sweet Thanksgiving play.

(I really wish I had taken a video of the play. Olivia directed all her siblings in the highlight of the evening. They cracked me up with the pilgrims dying and dropping to the floor over and over. Kolbe made an appearance as Oceanus and the Indians all came whooping down the stairs. It was perfect!)

This is my grandmother.  In her early eighties she still walks around the harbor everyday, schleps my children about town, and hands out smiles, hugs, and candy every time we visit her casita. She is amazing and all my littles adore her. I am so thankful to have four generations celebrating together.

2012 Wrap-Up

Well, my blogging spree did not last long and then that guilt at being so far behind sapped any desire to actually get something done. Isn't strange to be paralyzed by the undone when doing it will set us free and yet stuck we remain? Thus, in an effort to myself free, I offer up four major holidays in one fell swoop, err, blog post. Ta-Da!

HALLOWEEN

At Quinton's suggestion, everyone eagerly agreed to be a family of ninjas. Nanna and Olivia lovingly sewed up costumes to each child's specifications. They even had beautiful jeweled dragons, tigers, leopards, and flowers on the back. Marie Claire was dressed as the little Chinese princess whom the ninjas were protecting. Her little red dress, also made by Nanna, is actually Olivia's from when she was the same size. It is so sweet to remember my blue-eyed girls in red.

ALL SAINTS' DAY

Xavier ~ Crusader for Christ

Dominic ~ St. David

Olivia ~ Goliath ( Not a saint, but David's story teller)

Grace ~ St. Bridget

Collette ~ St. Zita

Quinton ~ St. Quentin

THANKSGIVING DAY

For my mom and dad... fond memories to make you smile

Thanksgiving was lovely, just lovely. We spent the morning cooking at home before heading down the mountain for some serious family fun. This is my children's home away from home. They love and know every corner. Before everyone escaped to their favorite playhouse, casita, or playroom, I managed to snap a few pictures- Four generations of love captured here. What a blessing! Oh, and that's Xavier in his most favorite padded helmet. He literally wore it to pieces. The boy loves hats, red hats. It makes me smile.

 After pictures, everyone scattered for playtime, making the sweetest candy turkeys, and dining on a delicious dinner that pleased everyone. Now that's saying a lot with my picky crew.

After dinner, the crazy kids donned bathing suits and headed out for a swim. While the spa was heated, the pool most definitely was not. However, that did not deter my children. They jumped in, gasped for air, swam furiously for the hot spa, and did it all over again laughing and laughing the whole time. The evening ended in pajamas, cozily watching a movie. I am so thankful for my beautiful family, the love between generations, and bountiful holiday celebrations. God is Good.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Our Christmas was quiet and family focused just like Thanksgiving. Extended family arrived to celebrate a few days before, we attended Christmas Eve Vigil in another small mission, and celebrated Christmas morning at home with loved ones. The children really shone this year with all of their home-made presents. Collette sewed and embroidered cookie pouches, Quinton made an amazing array of wooden gifts, and Olivia knitted and sewed with love. I think some of the most special moments was the exchange of these true gifts of the heart and hand. Even I managed to squeeze in a few days of sewing to make play food for the girlies. There was so much joy in the giving this year. The baby Jesus must have smiled sweetly upon them!

Olivia and Dominic's birthdays will show up soon. And then I can move on into 2013 with a happy heart of memories recorded, even so briefly.
And Peace to His people on Earth!

Happy Thanksgiving

We had a lovely, quiet Thanksgiving at home this year. It's funny because we have generations of family all around and yet, due to twists and turns, we ended up celebrating with just the nine of us. Goodness, nine- well it can't be that quiet then can it?

Quinton was in charge of assembling the Mayflower flotilla. He did a fine job. Everyone came away pleased with their ship and no one bawled due to burnt fingers from the glue gun. It was grand to have them sailing across the dinner table.

Our big craft project took two days to complete. One day was devoted to water coloring the background, blowing paint for trees, and coloring coffee filters. The next day we cut out leaf upon leaf upon leaf and the boys practiced 'dot, dot, not a lot' with the glue bottles. They're still working on that skill. 

And, of course, everyone, including the neighbors, painted their fingers for turkeys.

A new experience was making pumpkin pie from scratch scratch. Olivia and Quinton baked sugar pumpkins, scooped innards, and helped to watch babies while I did the rest. ;-) The consistency was a little off, very firm rather than custard-y. I think I need to try again with a new recipe. I don't suppose any of you have a great one? Let me know if you do, please.

Grandpa Bruce sent us a Tur-duck-hen as a surprise. The kids were especially enthralled with the idea. How does one stuff stuff a hen inside a duck inside a turkey? Ah, a question for the ages. The turkey was quite tasty and we dug through all the stuffing to find the duck. No one really liked that, a little gamey you know. I couldn't find the hen for the life of me so maybe it was just a tur-duck?

Just so you know, I always dress like this while cooking enormous meals for herds of small people.

While the food warmed in the oven, I hauled everyone outside for a quick photo. Dominic was not in the mood and he told me so. I only asked that he look at the camera; He didn't have to smile. "Fine," says he with a stomp and a glare.

After dinner we were looking over the photos when he let me know that he was mad in those pictures but fine now. He's quite in touch with his feelings.

Stephen wanted a picture of all of us, so I set the camera down on the little rusty table. It's a lovely photo...of our feet. Apparently, that angle thing is really important. 

We counted our blessing at the table. Everyone took a turn giving thanks. God has blessed us abundantly this year. Many in my little community have struggled so much. May the Good Lord help me to remember to give thanks in sickness and in health, in wealth and in poverty, in ease and in struggle for He is good.

Happy Thanksgiving!

More Thanksgiving

We had two Thanksgivings this year: one at my parent's home and one at my home. It was a delicious and fun-filled celebration both times!

My mom and dad hosted our first Thanksgiving complete with standing prime rib roast (yum!) and creamed corn. The kids romped with my brother, swam in the spa, and watched a home-made movie.

Everyone went home sleepy and content in their jammies after a wonderful day.

A rare photo of Stephen and me. Doesn't he look handsome?

Thanksgiving #2 was on Saturday at my house. We had a traditional turkey cooked up by my other brother. He wrapped it in bacon and stuffed it with garlic, sausage, and fruit. 

Wow! It was truly delicious.

Our children ran and played and played some more. They only stopped long enough to eat before moving on to more exciting pursuits. The two little ones in the picture are only about a month apart but Madison knows that she is older and likes to play the mommy with Xavier. 

One quiet moment: Olivia taught everyone how to make origami boxes. She learned to make them during our time spent studying Japan. I love it when learning melds seamlessly with life.

Happy Thanksgiving 2010

Dear Lord:

Today we give thanks
For our many blessings
As we pray for those in need.

We give thanks
For our family and friends
As we pray for those who are lonely.

We give thanks for our freedoms
As we pray for those who are oppressed.

We give thanks for our good health
As we pray for those who are ill.

We give thanks for our comfort and prosperity
As we share our blessings with others. 

On this day of Thanksgiving,
May the love of God enfold us,
The peace of God dwell within us
And the joy of God uplift us.

Amen.

These little owls are so cute, even Stephen commented on them! They now grace our library shelves, keeping a careful eye on all the littles.

I can't find the link for the creative mom that thought of this first. I am so thankful for crafty moms!

The Mayflower will grace our dinner table this evening. She was a group effort by all the children. The little ones painted the ocean with shaving cream and finger paint and then glued blue paper napkin waves onto the plate. The elders manned the glue gun, creating the masts from twigs and the hull from a toilet paper tube. Sails were glued on by all, hence their backwardness, and the flags completed the details. I found the directions at The Crafty Crow.

Hand print turkeys: a favorite every year!