THANKSGIVING WHIRLWIND

Dear Family,

We had such a great time over the Thanksgiving celebration! I did not take so many pictures as I was carving three turkeys but Emily took many and put them into a video on her blog, check it out.

We had 42 to a sit down thanksgiving dinner. Rick and Gemina came up from California, Rob and Eva and their three children came down from Spokane. We had most of the families here in the area.

There was great preparation. Mom had the entire downstairs painted for the occasion and the kitchen was also painted. We had a new refrigerator installed and we were finally ready. We did the turkeys; we had three, an organic one for those organically sensitive, I brined and smoked a smaller one, then we had a 25 pounder complete with the best oyster dressing possible. Gemina brought up 30 fresh oysters in the shell from a seafood market in Santa Monica but I thought they were too good for dressing so Rob shucked them and Rob, Eva and I put them away on the half shell.

Here is a picture of Rick (Beverly Hills Lawyer) and Rob, (Retinal Surgeon) peeling potatoes for Gemina's mashed potatoes. We used to call this KP in the army, (kitchen police). The mashed potatoes were great! So many other cooked and prepared as well. Becca roasted the politically correct organic turkey in a rotisserie oven and baked 150 Parker House rolls. Emily brought dressings and dips; her daughter Caroline baked two pies. Rayanne brought more rolls and her famous jello whipped cream salad. Everyone brought may treats and side dishes. Finally it was all prepared and ready to eat.

We expressed thanks for all our blessings especially the blessings of the Gospel and the blessings of Family and Paul blessed the food. It was organized this year that the adults who sat at the main table went through first, then the teenagers and then the little kids; this worked well and since they had to wait, it kept them in their seats longer. When we lived in Michigan, Rick used to time how long it took to eat the meal and I think the fastest was about 12 minutes to put away a dinner that took days to prepare. This time it took longer.. 30 minutes and it was more enjoyable. Love, gratitude and good feeling all around filled the room and our home and it was great.

There were non stop activities after. A group went up to Paul's parent's home and bowled. We all gathered at Paul and Cheryl's new great home in Holladay for dessert and further fun and games. It was so great. There were activities on Friday and then on Saturday, Paul and Becca had seat for the BYU - Utah football game and Rob and Rick drove down for that. That evening, Cheryl had tickets in the box for the Jazz basketball game and I went with Doug and Becky. They got a chance to sit on the floor for a period.

Sunday, we took Rob, Eva, Rick Gemina and kids to Cheryl's ward for church. Cheryl had this great brunch after church in their new home.

Well it was a great event and I loved every minute of it. It was such a great time of Thanksgiving, family and fun. It is quiet around here again and we can catch our breath. Thanks for all the help in setting up. cooking and cleaning up after; it was a production.

We love you all, Dad