As we leave November in a hurry towards the end of the year I am doing everything possible to stop and remember. 2020 has been quite the year and as it comes to a close I have found myself really thinking about all the things that I am deeply thankful for. It may be heretical, but I am SO GRATEFUL for 2020.
This year I was able to once again host Thanksgiving and I love it. Sure its a lot amidst school, work, travel, birthdays, and COVID, but every year I do it I love it even more. It brings me a lot of joy to know that my home is the place a few gather to give thanks and be together.
This year was a real treat because we got to host Sarah, Shawn and their whole family! Grandma and Grandpa were here too and it was so wonderful to spend some quality time with this Minnesota family we hardly ever get to see!
Pies happened a couple of days before Thanksgiving this year. I deeply enjoy pie making because it honestly makes me feel so close to my Grandma Fran. The skill of pie making is a seriously challenging one, but also one that is deeply satisfying. Dutch Apple, Triple Berry, Sweet Potatoe, and Pumpkin were on the menu this year and I must say, they all turned out amazing!
I got up bright and early on Thanksgiving to do my annual swim. I LOVE this practice because the pool is all to myself without a single soul in site. Its a place of peace, and prayer, and joy for me before the rush of Thanksgiving and cooking. I swam an easy 2200 and enjoyed myself immensely.
Once dressed for the onslaught of cooking I turned on my Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and stuffed my turkey. Doesn't get better!
While the turkey cooked all of the kids played all sorts of games.....
They went to the park.......
Lived a life......
And made an awesome obstacle course out on the playset......
And I was able to get another small chunk of the Hogwarts castle done. Thanksgiving day was full of fun and joy and a lot of laughter.
Many hands make light work and in short order we had an amazing spread of Thanksgiving food ready and waiting to be devoured!
I simply love living in Arizona because we got to enjoy our meal in our shades under the beautiful sunshine.
We waited a few hours before devouring pies, but successfully make it to pie time complete with fresh whipped cream and all the helpings. Thanksgiving was a huge win and we all went to bed stuffed to the rafters.
On Friday we all decided to tackle EJ Peak. I am happy to say that all 12 of us made it to the top with only a few tears.
There were trail runs.....and mini golf games....
And our time together finished at our church's annual lighting of the lights. Our church goes all out and we had a blast walking around and seeing all of the beauty and the story of Christmas told through the magic of little lights.
Our home transformed from orange pumpkin thankfulness to all things Merry and Bright in short order and we all found ourselves exhausted from the week. Thanksgiving was a beautiful, full, fun, and perfect holiday! Onto Christmas!
