Thanksgiving with a Surprise Ending

Our Thanksgiving Day was a pretty typical one for us. We had 45 people at the house and also enjoyed sharing this holiday with our sons from Portugal and Thailand. They ate the turkey and potatoes, tried the stuffing, sweet potatoes, and cranberries, and enjoyed their choice of thirteen pies. We all enjoyed the opportunity to be with friends and family and share something that we were each thankful for this year.

Rich, Susie, and Tracy

Jamie and Dana

Pat, Zack, Kevin, Papa, Grandma

Troy and Seth

Brett and Shane

Mark and Kaleb

Rick and Debbie

Marty and Kelly

Kaleb, Jessica, and Light

Mendo, Chet, and Marty

Ellen, Dana, and Katie

Joey and Keith

Another annual tradition is the post-dinner-pre-pie football game. The temperature was slightly below freezing, but that didn't stop anyone from joining in for at least part of the game. It also didn't stop a few of the more insane from donning their shorts!

1 QB, 7 WR, 7 DB

Building a fire

Neil, Sean, Jamie, Amanda

Mendo, still doesn't understand "winter"

Chet never has...

After the sun set and the cold drove the gridiron crew indoors we polished off the pies and got out the games. Some of our guys were delighted to gather around a video game brought over by a cousin.

Troy and Keith

Mario

While the boys' bedroom was filled with racing fans another group played Apples to Apples in the great room. Ellen added a twist to the game and laid out four description cards (typically only one is laid).

"Exciting/Unforgettable/Legendary/Awesome"

We had to choose one card from our hand that best fit the description. I was sure I had this one in the bag as I played my "Superman" card. However, Daniel played a hand written card and Ellen declared him the winner.

"We're Engaged"

It took us all a few moments to put two and two together and realize that it equalled.....these two!

A wedding date of August 22, 2009 has been set. However, those plans will be put on the back burner until Ellen returns from a five month missions trip to Guyana that start on the 15th of this month. She asked me if she should do anything for the wedding before she leaves. I told her to reserve the church, prepare for her trip, spend time with her fiance, and leave the rest until May.