Thanksgiving at The Farm

November 30, 2013

The Parsons Thanksgiving always falls on the Saturday following the holiday.  Because of this we were able to make it back from our Cul-de-sac Trip and visit with my family.  Again this year we had dinner at my Uncle's farm.  The kids all have loads of fun here because they can run, explore, and be kids.  This year they shot guns with the big guys, rode the golf cart and go cart, played on the swing-set, and just ran like kids.  

After all the outdoors time, we gathered in the morton building for Thanksgiving dinner.  As usual it was all very tasty and filling.  We were blessed to have Margaret and her sister join us this year.  We surprised her with a birthday party to celebrate her 89th that was coming up in December.  But really, Margaret had the biggest surprise of all.  She came over and asked Mom to switch seats to sit next me.  I thought she just wanted to chit chat with us, but she had a bigger agenda.  She leaned over and said, "I have something for you, if you will take it."  Not knowing and honestly a little nervous I laughed and said, "Well, that depends on what it is."  She got a little shaky and pulled her hands out of her lap as she slid her engagement ring off.  She said, "I wanted you to have this that your Granddaddy Bull gave me."  I about choked and immediately started the ugly cry.  I couldn't even speak.  She went on to tell me that long before Bull got sick they discussed it.  She said it was one afternoon they were laying on the bed taking a nap when she asked him if she could give it to me.  Bull agreed and thought it was a good idea, but she wanted him to make sure that if anything happened to her, that he gave it to me.  Yes, the tears continued to flow and they flow now as I write this entry.  Margaret has meant the world to us just like my Nanny Mary did.  She has loved us like her own and has taken us in like grandchildren and great grandchildren.  She loved on my babies just like my Nanny would have if she were here today.  I have now had Nanny Margaret in my life longer than I had my Nanny Mary.  She is so extremely special to us.  I believe that Nanny Mary sent her to us to carry on her love.   I am so thankful to have her ring now on my left hand with my wedding band and my Nanny Mary's ring on my right hand.  Wow!  What a day!

Thankful for Friends

November 28, 2013

Our Thanksgiving this year was very different from our previous years as a family.  Our cul-de-sac families planned a trip to the Mountains as one big family.  We rented a large house with enough bedrooms to sleep all eighteens of us.  The house overlooked a beautiful lake and we were given a nice snowfall while we were there.  The trip was very laid back and relaxing.  We played lots of games, ate, watched movies, ate, soaked in the hot tub, ate, hiked, ate, read, ate, napped, ate, had a scavenger hunt, and ate some more.  On Thanksgiving we all pitched in and cooked a huge dinner with all the trimmings.  It was delicious!!   

Most of our time was filled with games such as dominoes, cards, Telephrase, Uno, Phase 10, and several others.  Mexican train dominoes turned into a real competition.  We played all thirteen rounds and stayed up most of the night.  The competition got fierce because so many people wanted to play.  We instituted the rule that each round the player with the most points had to give up their seat at the table.  This was fun because it kept everyone interested and made the game ever changing.

Our dinner was beautiful, yummy, and very memorable!  It was a very touching time of the trip. We took a moment and went around the room and each person spoke about their thankfulness.  The kids did a great job telling what they were thankful for in their lives.  By the time it got to the adult table the emotions were already flowing.  We each talked about how special we were to one another and what a unique bond we all have.  It felt so good to be honest and real about life struggles and knowing we have each other.  It was great to share this with some of the people that mean the world to us.  We are beyond blessed to have each of them and their children in our lives.  We all know that no matter what life brings our families we will live it out as a supportive group together.  Thank you, God, for giving us such wonderful family friendships.  

The cul-de-sac boys!

After dinner we headed outside to take some photos!

the Case Family

the Kelley Family

the Miller Family

the Johnson Family

The boys decide to take a polar bear plunge.  Yikes!  The water was cold!

Friday we had a scavenger hunt for the kids.  The adults took a hike around the area and picked out things for them to find.  Technology has really changed scavenger hunts because we took pictures of what to find.  Then when we got back to the house we divided up the kids and made sure everyone had a phone.  We sent the "list" of photos to each team.  The rule was that the teams had to take a creative photo with the items.  The kids came up with lots of fun pictures.  It was great to see their individuality and creativity with the pictures.  Kirkland and Ryan won the hunt with the best percentage found and the most creative pictures.  They got to take home the trophy for the year until we play again.

The house had evidence of a real live beaver!