Thanksgiving

We had Thanksgiving dinner at my parents' house this year, and it was very nice. Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays because there is a lot of great food and because I get to be with my family, just like at Christmastime, without the risk of being drowned in wrapping paper.

Here is a picture of my grandfather and my cousin from North Carolina who is attending BYU:

My dad, my youngest daughter (with her nose in a book -- she really loves to read) and my oldest daughter (playing on her iTouch):

My friend Pam looking at a music book:

Me and my oldest daughter:

My dad and my sister:

My youngest daughter:


Pam playing piano:


Me playing piano:

My sister's husband and son:

We had almost an entire pie or cake for each person. There were a lot of leftovers :)

Singing Christmas songs after dinner and dessert (I played piano):

My youngest daughter was working on a sewing project and my oldest daughter was on the laptop (and sticking her tongue out at me):

My sister and her husband:

In between songs:

After Thanksgiving dinner we went to the Festival of Lights. It's at a park near the Chevron station in Spanish Fork (the one that is closest to the canyon, by the windmills). It opens on Thanksgiving every year and goes through New Year's. We usually go three or four times during the Christmas season:

The next day we had "Thanksgiving the sequel" at my house. It's been a tradition for the last fifteen years or so since I get a free turkey from my employer. My mom earned a spot in the "mom hall of fame" by coming down to our house early in the afternoon and putting the turkey in the oven. Here is a pic of her making gravy (it was so yummy):

My dad:


My wife and her sister:


My two nephews (left) and my son (right):

Pam:

My wife's sister's husband:

My nieces. The one on the right is four years old, and while we were serving dinner she told me, "I'm grateful that it's Christmastime, because then Santa can come and bring us presents!" Later she saw me taking a store bought pumpkin pie out of the oven and clapped her hands and said, "You're the best cook ever!" (Clearly she doesn't know me very well :) )

My youngest daughter:

My oldest daughter:


I have so many wonderful blessings to be thankful for this year. There have been ups and downs, and there will always be trials and difficulties. But I am privileged to love and be loved, I am grateful for my friends and family, and I am especially grateful for my guardian angel. Though the future is unknown, I have faith that everything will be okay.

Happy Thanksgiving!