Thanksgiving weekend

The last few days I have been experiencing some tech problems.  It seems that I have exceeded my allowed 'free' picture space on my blog and since I didn't want to delete any of my entries, I had to buy more space.  It is important for me to include a lot of pictures so it is a worthwhile and small thing for me.  As you go through this post you will see why I need some more picture space.  

Thanksgiving Day started out with Bud putting up our Christmas tree.  You can see that it was a very warm day so a perfect day to put up the tree.

We then went over to the Noble's house for dinner.  It was a wonderful time to catch up with all those college kids and their activities. Brittany is in her 3rd year of medical school, David is in his final year as an undergrad at U of M and Jack is in his 2nd year there too.  Charlotte is in her junior year in high school so Sue and Walt have a little time before they will become 'empty nesters'.

We had a great meal with lots of laughter and talking.  It was a great evening.
Friday morning we were up early (at least early for me) and on our way to Grand Rapids to spend our second Thanksgiving.  Life is pretty tough when you have to eat Thanksgiving dinner two days in a row.

Matt and Diana came up from TN and the first activity of the day was to go get Gram's Christmas tree.

Surprise, surprise, they picked this one out rather quickly.  I'm not sure if it was because it was so cold for those TN kids or it was just luck but this tree was 'THE ONE' and we then went inside Horocks to do some shopping in the warmth of the shop.

The tree received the seal of approval in the corner of the living room.

Finally the turkey was done and we settled down to dinner but not until a few pictures were taken.

Leo joined us for dinner too.  I know that this looks like Matt and Leo are performing a play, reading their lines but NOT so.  Leo didn't spend the night so they are exchanging Christmas gift cards. Leo just came home from spending the weekend before in North Dakota with Glen and Penny. He was there visiting them when I was with Eva at the Cape.  He had a great time with them and managed to get there and back without any big snow storm. Next year he is going to use his vacation time in the summer instead of waiting until the year is almost over and driving out in the questionable weather season.

The Christmas tree lights were put up and Gram enjoyed the snuggles of those grandchildren.  More than once she expressed her happiness for having such wonderful children and grandchildren around her this holiday season.  She was beaming.

That night we celebrated her birthday that had been the day before;

Sara and Leo sent her a new journal and some flower bulbs from their garden.

The tree was decorated by her lovely children and grandchildren.

And once again a beaming grandmother with those grandchildren.

Saturday morning we were up and ready to celebrate our Christmas together. It started with the traditional Christmas story read by one of the grandchildren this year.

Doug was especially stylish this year with his shorts and his boots.  Doug is joining the family in February.  We did tease him that now that he 'has the woman' he doesn't need to worry about style.

The presents began and this one is one of the first from Gram.  You may notice that I don't use the names of the grandchildren in my posts.  This is a way to keep the young ones off the 'web' until they are old enough to make that decision on their own.  Anyway, this little girl LOVED her new cowgirl boots from Gram.

H. was into the zebra theme this year so Gram went all out with sheets, picture frames, a pillow and curtains. (I made the curtains and pillow for Gram since she was busy and I'm house bound still.)

The MOST exciting thing was very puzzling.  A. opened the first clue bag and started unpuzzling this gift.

Doug received a book that looked pretty interesting.  I thought I put a picture of Bud in here too but must have uploaded the wrong one.  Anyway, both of them were engrossed in their books as soon as they received them.  The lesson for next year is to give them their books at the end of the gift giving time.  They managed to bring themselves back to the celebration fairly soon.

A. and Daddy just sitting around waiting for a gift.

Matt got a nice warm fleece.  He was a happy man

Gram got new PJ's so she will be warm this winter.

The puzzling continued with more pieces being added with each child and adult.

A future basketball player is ready to play.  She is on a team of kids her age.  According to Diana, it is fun AND interesting to watch.  B.  isn't always sure which team she is on and which basket to put the ball in but the team is having fun.  Matt is doing some coaching too.

With the puzzle all together, they took off to follow the clues.  Out the door and through the gate to the neighbor's house.  Being still crippled, I waited on Eva's back deck and took these far away pictures.

There they found a kayak for the whole family.  It was a GREAT surprise for the whole family from Sara, Leo, Erik,Jessica and Doug.  I am sure that Matt's family will enjoy it very much.

It took a place of honor in the garage.  It is a 'sit upon' type of kayak.

After all the gifts we had breakfast, everyone cleaned up and another opportunity for pictures with Gram and the grandchildren.

You could tell that Matt loved his new toy.  He spent some time in the afternoon checking on paddles for his new toy.

Christmas cookie decorating was on the agenda for the afternoon.

I even had a few cookies and they were delicious.

Jessica used her sticker making machine to put symbols on the kayak.  The first symbol is Jessica and Doug's logo.  It took me a few minutes to get it but first is the J for Jessica, then the D for Doug on the top of the J and finally that makes a P for Powers.  I can't believe that they have their own logo.  Doesn't everyone????  The next symbol is for Sara and Leo, their 'Mountain Wave' logo.  Finally the e is for Erik.  I guess he will have to work on getting his own logo although the 'e' looks great.  Let me know if you are working on a family logo or maybe have one for us.  Anyway, a very creative family.

Smiles all around for the day.

In the evening we celebrated Matt's birthday which is December 25th.  Death by Chocolate was his birthday request along with flank steak for dinner.  It was our last evening together but we managed to pack in a lot of activities.

AND of course, all the internet research for new paddles was unnecessary since Eva bought him some for his birthday.  The gift was complete and everyone was happy.

Matt packed up the car, including the kayak and a tree that they bought in Michigan that evening.  They got up early and put the sleeping kids in the car for the long drive home.  They left about 4 in the morning or so I heard.  I didn't get up and say my goodbyes.
Bud and I left in the morning and were home by noon.  It was a great weekend.

I am thankful for family.  Sara, Leo and Erik spent Thanksgiving on the Cape, waiting for those new babies.  They only have a few more weeks before we will meet them, at least with pictures.  They are growing and so is Sara.  Erik is home for a while.  I heard from Jess that he is staying through Christmas.    Glen and Penny , Myria and Amy were in ND for the holiday and us Michigan family had a great time together.
I am thankful for such a wonderful family.