Thanksgiving morning. My three youngest helped me tear the bread into little pieces for the stuffing.
I was a little worried about the day; hoping that I would have the right attitude and energy for a warm family gathering.
It was the best Thanksgiving ever. I praise God for that.
***
I was surprised by a double yolk. David told me to leave it the way it was and he ate it himself at dinner time.
All of the children helped me; here’s Ethan doing the carrots and dip.
My big beautiful new addition! There is another table to the far right, and one on the far left (not seen in photo) under the window for the food.
Mom and Dad arrived at around 12.
My brother Nate was given the important task of getting the heavy bird out of the oven…..it was 25 pounds, so with the stuffing it was even heavier. We were all nervous.
He’s smiling because he had pretended to drop it!
Dad said it was one of the moistest turkeys he ever had. It was a butterball and I roasted it in an oven bag.
Brother Isaac taking a photo of the pies in sunshine.
Abbie and Grace, and Jason hiding behind the flowers.
It’s really hard to take a good picture of these two, when they’re together they get silly! Abbie’s birthday was Wednesday so now they are both teenagers.
Rich carving the turkey. Nate making sure he does it right.
Seth was asking me if he could have soda. Look at that face, of course I said “yes”.
Dad and sister Amanda
deviled eggs, seafood salad, orange tapioca salad.
mashed potatoes, gravy, sweet potatoes, corn casserole, squash, stuffing, salad, rolls, and Sarah in the high chair.
I had no appetite after cooking all morning but managed to eat all this.
My nephews, Gregory and Weston.
Caleb with my nieces Makayla and Naomi
Brother Isaac sat in the rocking chair.
It was wonderful to have space for everyone in our new room.
Right after dinner the little ones went outside for fresh air. I took this picture through the window, just before poor Seth fell down the hill. He was okay.
Mom and Dad spent the night and left on Friday.
Seth. I had to pin his arms down, and then booted him off my lap.
With my dad.
With my parents.
So much to be thankful for.
And now we move gracefully on into the Christmas season.
Please pray for my friend Hannah, it’s her birthday today and she’s an hour from being induced for delivering her sixth baby!
So once in every year we throng
Upon a day apart,
To praise the Lord with feast and song
In thankfulness of heart.
~Arthur Guiterman, The First Thanksgiving
Good to be Home 
I’ve never seen a hardboiled double yolk before, very neat. Looks like you had a nice Thanksgiving Day!
I loved seeing your happy Thanksgiving day with family. I am sure it was wonderful. We did a big 22 lb. butterball, with stuffing,and in a bag too. Bob cooked 5 pies. Only 2 flavors, but he specially made separate ones that were GF for me and David. All of yours look so yummy, and so much food! Your new room is so beautiful, and what a welcome addition to welcome everyone in! Miss you. I was feeling sad today, and I knew a visit here would put a smile on my face. Love to you all.
My grandson, Zion, had a birthday on Wednesday as well. 13!
We were so glad to be there to celebrate with him!!
Loved the post, Shanda.
Your meal looks delicious, and I enjoyed seeing your family.
Wow the food looks amazing! So glad the day was wonderful
thanks for sharing your lovely thanks giving!! I enjoy this post every year. What a beautiful family…your nieces and nephews have grown so much!!
This is cool… I was wondering when the photos from thanksgiving were gonna go up….
So i went to Pastor Gary’s house and we played Taboo… Just in case you dont know the game… Basically you have a word you have to get the other person to guess and their are additional words you cannot use and you have a time limit… So Gary and myself were on one team… One of the words i had was Crown… So i said, “Jesus wea”.. Before i finished Gary shouted “Crown” Then it was Gary’s turn and he had Mind so he said… this word appears numerous times in Philippians… i shouted “Mind”…. Needless to say Gary and i won 32 to 22…
so i had a great Thanksgiving… as i can tell so did you ha ha.
See ya in church Sunday…
Blessings
Michael T Payne
Beautiful family! What a resemblance you shAre with your sister!
Thank you for sharing your Thanksgiving with us. I can feel the love you all share through your pictures. Such a sweet picture of you and your Dad. 🙂 …and your Mom and Dad, too. You have a nice looking family.
Your new addition is beautiful, and looks like it was just perfect for your gathering.
Sorry I’m late on commenting. We just got back home and I’m ‘catching up’.
It looks like you all a a great time. That is quite the house full of people, it’s a good thing that you guys have the new addition! Great post!
Ethan S.
Awe loved your photos!
Lots of family, good food, fun, and memories!
I also love your new addition. I am sure it was nice to have that extra room!
I also can not believe how big Abbie has gotten! Wow.
Thanks for sharing!
Beautiful photos–especially love the new addition. How wonderful that it was done in time for Thanksgiving. I am especially envious of your pies. Since I did everything myself this year, including an 8kg turkey (18lbs?), I purchased pumpkin pie and apple pie from Costco. They are decent but just not the same!
What a lovely family! Blessings of family, food, space for hosting, and Jesus! Eonderful memories! Thankyou for sharing! Christina
Oh Shanda! I lost track of you for awhile and now here you are! Your house is so wonderful! With your new great room coming on the heels of your fancy kitchen, it looks very snazzy, perfect for a big holiday gathering. And the kids have grown, and your smile is still so warm.
i always enjoy seeing pictures of your family all together and for some reason i think your mom and mine would get along splendidly! :))
your new addition looks great!
Love your new addition! I can just imagine all of the love and laughter that will forever be a part of that room.