Thanksgiving Feast

We started our Thanksgiving week by visiting our very dear friends in Sacramento, the Wiederhold family.  We love them so much.  My friend Amy and I didn't stop talking till the minute I had to drive back home the next day.  She is the sister I never had.  We even share a bed when we go there, just like sisters do.  Mary and Gillian get along so perfectly with each other that it's so hard seeing them say goodbye at the end of our visit. Jefferson and Caleb talk about books, play wii together, and act as big kids.  Hilarious!  James and Zoe are inseparable; I fear for James's heart.  That Zoe is so pretty, flirtatious, and sought after by every boy that lays eyes on her, that I'm afraid he might not have a very strong hold on her heart.  Nevertheless, Amy and I keep taking pictures of them together and keep records of their pure love story so we can use them when they get married, just in case they do :)  As for Charlton and Joshua, they are still figuring out their place in this sea of love and friendships.

While there, the kids had a wonderful time biking, strolling, dancing, telling stories to each other, staying too late sharing secrets, and making each other happy.  As always, our visit was too short; it would be so fun to live nearby again.  Life is so interesting: the minute you figure out what you want from it and what friends work for each of us, it throws us into a totally different challenge.  Making new friends is always fun, and keeping the old ones is so hard in our very busy lives, but they are both worth it.

Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving, we rested from running around, and later in the day I cooked some of my dishes.  Elijah cooked the turkey this year, and it was the most tender and juiciest turkey I've ever tasted.  We had invited three different families over for dinner; all in all we had 9 adults and 10 kids.  The weather was beautiful on Thanksgiving day, so we never saw the kids, they played outside the whole time.  That made dinner so much more enjoyable; we talked, we ate, we played games, and we laughed.  It was just perfect.  I made the usual dishes, but no dessert.  Our Australian friends made a delicious Aussie treat, and that added to the perfection of the feast.

Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, we took some friends with us, and went to visit the University of California Botanical Garden in Berkeley.  It was very relaxing, and much needed after a full week of activities.  The plants and flowers, ponds and waterfalls, the noises of the insects flying around, and the sheer calmness that a garden has to offer were such a welcomed change for my senses.

Nearby the garden, there is one gorgeous grove of redwoods where the kids had the most fun.  They sang songs in the amphitheater stage, ran around and through the woods, and just enjoyed the impeccable beauty of God's creation.

After the woods, we took the kids to a park in Berkeley, where kids could go down a cement slide that was steep and very much a fun thing to do for all ages.  To me, it looked scary and dangerous, and my heart would skip a beat every time my kids would go down, but they loved it.  Even my cautious child, Charlton.  He went on his own first, and then his best buddy and favorite sibling for the day, Jefferson, took him on rides with him.  Afterward, for their bravery, and because they were hot, they were rewarded with some delicious ice cream.

On Saturday, I had two photo shoots for two different families squeezed between my kids' ice skating class.  It was hectic, but I'm glad I was able to use my time and talents to help others.  As for my kids' ice skating, between their previous practice with rollerblades and high expectations lessons at home, both boys were able to advance from beginner to level 2.  Jefferson just got moved to level 3 this week.  Amazing!  I'm glad they love what they do and they give it all.  I know if they apply that to all things that makes this life worth it, then they will succeed in what matters, and then some.

 

Next post: Disneyland visit, Melita's birthday, and many more...