This Thanksgiving we were Thankful for family

The table was set...all the adults were assembled..and then we prayed. We prayed for peace, goodwill and continued blessings to our family and all its branches. This was the first year in 3 that NOBODY had any announcements. It seemed a little sad to me. But, given the ages of our children. It was very appropriate. They go as follows: 23 x 2, 20, 18, 4,3,2, and 5 months. Us older adults can enjoy the wee ones and the older children can just wait to add to the tree.

This year we tried something different. Rissa and Walt opted to stay in a hotel, so on Friday night, we pumped up the air mattresses and all the "wee" ones had they're first sleep over. I remember those days, do you? All the family gathered together. The noise, the laughter, the food and the cousins all piled up for a sleepover. I was glad they got to experience this. The only thing missing was mom. She would've been the one responsible for making this happen, but Dory and I took control and it was a success!

Drew, Dory's oldest was off in Virginia with his dad and grandma, Chelsea is still overseas on her first deployment, but she stopped by via Skype and chatted with each of us and then she simply sat on her computer from a thousand miles away and watched the sisters cook, talk, fuss and even giggle. I am sure it was nice to have a little piece of home on that day, but it was also hard not being able to reach out and hug each other, sit and gab and just be in the same room of the same house on her first Thanksgiving away from home. Alex was absent as well when we sat down to dinner, he was working, trying to get a head. But he showed up a few hours later and filled a plate and stuffed himself just like we did. It is funny, but Dory was worried about having enough seating. It was the missing ones that had the majority. But, we shared yet another Thanksgiving together and remembered each and every year we have had together and we were and are grateful for each and every one.

They ate together, played together and made wonderful memories to last a lifetime. I kept the camera handy and took lots of pictures, just for the proof. Here is what remains....

Thanksgiving Memories 2011

Thanksgiving has passed and we are all Thankful for family. For those who are near and far. On a mission or attempting to find their way in life. Family is forever, if they will remember that, plus all the values they have been taught then I know they will all be ok and maybe someday I will pass the blogging and photography over. Until then, I will watch through my lens and capture our memories.