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...

Let misty autumn be our part! ~Ernest Dowson

 “But there is always a November space after the leaves have fallen when she felt it was almost indecent to intrude on the woods…for their glory terrestrial had departed and their glory celestial of spirit and purity and whiteness had not yet come upon them.”
― L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Windy Poplars

Wow! So much to catch up on.  November has been such a beautiful month with perfect weather, stunning sunsets, and a great many fun family events.

Charlton and I put together a lot of puzzles, created beautiful fall art, and did a whole bunch of reading, about everything, and especially about the story of Thanksgiving.  He can tell you the whole pilgrim history, and loves to count his blessings during his prayers.

 

 

Charlton continued his swimming lessons till mid November.  I thought he was really enjoying it until he told me he would rather be reading.

Charlton has enjoyed his playtime with his siblings, as well as his best friends.  I know I shouldn't be happy, but I love it when my older kids fight over whose turn it is to have one-on-one playtime with Charlton.  What a lucky boy!

James finished his soccer season with a bang - he scored half of the goals in their tournament.  He was truly a soccer star.  We all supported him every Wednesday for his practices, and every Saturday for his games.  It wasn't ideal for my Saturday relaxing theme, but I enjoyed seeing my boy have so much fun.

Jefferson has enjoyed a myriad of things this month.  He participated in a weekly film editing class, made delicious treats for our family home evenings, and bonded with each of his siblings, but especially with his sister - they are reading the same books now and having a load of fun discussing them with each other.  It brings joy to my heart to see my kids loving and caring for each other - it is  one of my favorite blessings of my life.

Jefferson also joined Gillian in the orthodontist ranks: he had his braces on, and now is wearing a head gear as well.  They are sharing the pain :)

The older boys surprised me one day when I went to take their lunch to school; they both got awards: Jefferson for scoring 100% in the standardized test, and James for student of the month.  Needless to say, I was one proud mama.

They also shared a pilgrim theme field day that their teacher put together.  I accompanied them as the photographer of the class, and because I love sharing time with my sweet boys.  They learned how to write with a quill, made a little quilt, worked on embroidery, made candles, and shared a simple thanksgiving dinner with each other.  We all had a great time!

Gillian has had a very busy month.  She got her report card - all As and one B - and committed herself to working harder.  She is being so responsible with her school work, enjoyed sewing with our neighbor, has loved babysitting for my friends at least once a week, and is progressing so well with her voice training.  Piano practice is still a stumbling block, but when she does it she really produces beautiful sounds.  I'm so grateful Gillian is my daughter.  She is funny, creative, thoughtful, kind, easy going, helpful, very responsible and mature, and a fun friend.  I love going out with her eating dinner, or for ice-cream, or shopping together.  When we do go shopping, she tries to teach me to be frugal with the money, and I tell her: Good luck. Your father has tried for 14 years and with not a lot of success.   She responds that it's worth every penny just seeing me happy and funny.  Who is this mature child?!

She also started ice-skating this month.  She has done it before so this time around she wasn't a rookie, and is having a lot of fun showing how it's done to her brothers.  Charlton and I read nearby, at times distracted by their skating, and at times by my phone.  He told me on several occasions to put the phone back in my purse "'cause it isn't time for playing; it's time for reading."  Fun Saturdays with my kids!  Love it.

Elijah and I having been busy caring for the family, and have found some repose from our daily labors in the house of the Lord.  Every time I enter the temple, my burdens become a bit easier to handle, and I receive needed comfort, energy, and inspiration to continue with the week.  What a blessing to have a temple so close!

A few days before Thanksgiving week, we got our first rain of the season, and my kids loved going outside splashing each other, getting wet, and then coming inside for nice warm baths, followed by hot chocolate.  We really need some more of these lazy days!

 

Next post: Thanksgiving week...