Thanksgiving Weekend Entertainment

My description of this year's Thanksgiving weekend--a fabulous, fun-filled, friend and family frenzy. We set a record for the number of people gathered for dinner (56) and even added a few more for pie. Our habit for decades has been to open our home for any family and friends who want to gather and/or don't have any family in town. We were thrilled to have so many join us this year! The weather was perfect for the annual football game and gave everyone a chance to get out and run off the meal. I suspect, however, that the old guys were calling huddles just to catch their breath. (Light and Mendo, you remember how cold it was when you were here that we even had trouble keeping warm by the bonfire--this year was warm and I didn't even wear a coat when I went out to take pictures!)

For some people it is strange that anyone would not live near their relatives and for others it is the norm. We discovered that out of the 9 couples present (18 of us) only 2 were actually born in Wisconsin. Even more surprising was realizing that 7 of us were born and/or raised in California. We felt like a real example of the mobility that is available in our modern society.

On Friday, we planned some meals, activities, and game times for our immediate family and one of the highlights was having Bryce produce and direct some lip sync videos. Most of them will remain private and be enjoyed only by the ones who are now regretting letting their inhibitions run away with them. This one, however, shouldn't embarrass anyone and was our favorite of the bunch.

Merry Christmas!

I've never heard of another family whose Christmas tradition includes a talent show. But, for many years our extended family has gathered at Keith's sister's for a meal, goodies, and a talent show. I guess we're a bit odd. Here's Bryce and Ellen singing a rewritten version of Jingle Bells that we rewrote again and customized for Daniel and his truck.

Yes, Your Highness

Aunt Susie is spending Christmas with us this year. Not just Christmas, but eleven full days and nights. Yesterday (day 5) she had this to say:

Umm, Cindy, at my group home they give me my coffee first thing in the morning. I would appreciate it if you would to the same.

Thanksgiving Humor

Bryce, Owen, and Lisa put this song together for a homeschool Thanksgiving talent show last night. Leave it to them to figure out a way to infuse humor into a show geared toward giving thanks. I think today they're just thankful it's over. Keith and I had ballroom dance lessons last night so Chet took them to the event. When they came home and I asked how it went Bryce asked me, "Do you know what the words 'epic fail' mean?"

The karaoke didn't work, there was only one microphone, the stage lighting was red, and things were set up in a way that didn't quite work with some of their choreography. The talent show version ended up being done without the motion, acapella sounding like a solo by Bryce, and skipping the last half of the song. They'll be able to plan better next time.

Here's the video I made of their "dress rehearsal" at home (so they could see how it looked before going on stage).

White Christmas

Christmas Eve at the Mathews'--food, talent, singing, games, and fellowship









Christmas day at our house

'Tis the Season

The house is decorated, the snow is falling, Christmas music is playing, and we're making cookies today!