Thanksgiving

We, as usual, headed to West Virginia for Thanksgiving.  Dad the kids and I left about 1pm on Wednesday.  It was already prettily snowing- but not laying probably because we had just had two warmer days.  I did make a last minute pit stop for a $5 sled and dollar gloves for the kids.
When we got just beyond Elon, about 30 minutes into our drive, this was the scene.

We got there way earlier than usual.  However, as usual we were royally spoiled with Nana's homemade veggie soup.  And most the others also were a fan of her chilli.  Anthony approved of her peanut butter and jelly.  The next car full of visitors arrived just before 7.  Izzy had her son Brett and her grand babes, Lauren, Averi and Ryan.  We all ate and about that time Amanda, Aidan and Uncle Alden came over.  The girlies all wanted to go spend the night with Uncle Alden, and were likely driving him crazy with their begging.  However thanks to Amanda being a distraction and the girls trying to lock her out....

Uncle Alden safely and quickly escaped solo.  And when the three girlies realized it----

They sped outside in shock that he got away-- they got out the front door coatless in time to see him pull off.
Around 11 Vicki and Jake got to Nana and Papa's and near midnight everyone called it a night.  I so wanted to take a picture at 5am of the girlies cuddled together asleep on the living room floor, but I didn't want to risk awakening the twins-- I knew Jayna would sleep right through it.  I got the Turkey from the garage fridge at 5am for Nana to begin her endless hours of cooking, then went back to bed.  I got up at 9am. Nana, Amanda, Dad and I helped in the kitchen all morning.

As in like every household we watched the parade while cooking... and look how well Papa kept the kids under control in the living room watching the parade.... for about 5 minutes ;-)

At propmptly 1pm, Thanksgiving dinner was served.  As always it was a feast and so delicious!!

THIS FEEDS A HUNGRY ARMY OF 23

The kid table: 1 of 3 tables we had

Our guests: Amanda w/ her Aunt Carolyn, Helen with her "favorite" Dave and Jayna with Robert and Freda

After eating, Amanda, Aunt Chris and I did 2 hours of dish duty.  Typically Tricia, Marko and I do the dishes.  But, Ticia just started a new job and was unable to make it for Thanksgiving-- and therefore she couldn't force Marko into helping.  I tried to get Nan to do disposable plates and utensils but she was having no part of that suggestion (of course!).  After doing dishes, I found the kiddos knocked out!  At 4:30 our friend Kelvin arrived to visit!  Notice the color of his shirt? (ignore the word Marshall)?  I know he knew his cowgirls were going to loose so he was secretly, undercover cheering for the Eagles!  And it worked!  Way to go Eagles!!!
At 5:30 Amanda, Izzy, Vicki, myself and all the kids but Anthony headed out for our beloved Black Friday tradition, which Amanda lovingly renamed Grey Thursday.  First we hit up Big Lots to view their dvds and Christmas decor.  Then we went to enjoy our beloved Walmart chaotic fun.  Amanda rushed for the dvds.  I went to capture her T-fal pots, 4 set of lamps and a box of dishes with Jayna.  The other 5 hit up the toy section.  We met up in line.  I'd consider it a very successful 1st black friday for the kids.

Left: whoopie cushion fun @ Big Lots, mid: Jayna and Ryan in Big Lots, right: in line at Walmart

Then we headed back to Nana and Papa's.  Averi and Jayna decided to take Uncle Alden up on his offer, the start of a 2nd generation tradition.  They got to have their sleepover.  Oh how special it truly is to have my kid(s) enjoy the things I loved as a kidlet!  Meanwhile Ryan and Lauren went with Jake and Brett bowling.  Anthony was napping with his daddy.  NOT that I can envision that momma's boy going else where for a sleepover...

Then, Vicki, Izzy, Amanda and I went to Kohl's.  I quickly found what I wanted and then held our place in the longest- by far- line of our night.  It took forever to get to the front- about an hour.  The man behind me was a bit cooky, but also sometimes entertaining as he prank called random friends using very believable random foreign accents pretending to be "Bill from N'Telos" calling about their bill and asking from their credit card info.  Amusingly Kohl's got hacked over Thanksgiving, and on Friday our credit card company cancelled our card and contacted Marko.  There was no fraudulent activity on our card, but since I used the card at Kohl's it was a precaution.  Next we hit up Izzy's favorite store Elder Beerman.  I can't mention purchase details from our outings as so many were Christmas gifts.We got home before midnight, word record!  Izzy gave Nana and Papa their gifts.

Amanda and I went out to Lowes at 5am for a few more bargains.  I was assigned to buy Jake's item, while Amanda got her two.  This wasn't hardly black Friday.  We were like two of six customers. Friday morning Nana made her world famous Pumpkin and Pecan pies, while the two remaining kiddos kind of sledded down the drive in that 2 mm of snow flurries.

Then Uncle Alden came over with the two girls, scooped up the other 3 kids and myself.  This year because of the icy rodes we couldn't do the bridge, just the visitors center for the bridge.

 

Then of course we headed to our traditional black Friday lunch-- DQ!  Uncle Alden generously treated us to kids meals (ok I got the $5 meal deal not a kids one) and ice cream!

Then we were back to Nana's to play in the little bit of snow we got!  They got so spoiled last year with sledding on the drive way and a nice amount of snow, that they were willing to sled in any amount of snow this year, just to get to sled!

Then we headed to Aiden and Josie's house.  They have such a fun house!  And they are always so welcoming and kind letting us invade their home to play!

We got back to Nana's for supper and pie!  After supper but before bed the kids also enjoyed a late night sled ride.

Nana made us her fabulous pancakes for breakfast on Saturday.

After breakfast, it was time to pack up, take final pictures and take off for our homes again.  It as usual was a wonderful family and fun filled visit!

Uncle Aldy with the kiddos.  Some things never change.  He's always been an amazing Uncle!!

So lucky to not only have grandparents still living, still married, but to have such family oriented hands on devoted grandparent

Nana and Papa with most of their favorite kids

Izzy and Amanda,,, missing Trish lots in this photo

And how about a laugh... we stopped by Tamarack on the way out of town...

Jayna was helping the statue with his issue... sniffing his pitts and suddenly he realized he had no deodorant with him.  Thanks to Jayna and her spare container of Degree for her 24 hour guarantee--- the day was saved

Happy Cow Christmas

We try to do playdates with friends in place of exchanging gifts.  Our first such playdate was Dec 2 at Chick Fil A for kids night.  We met up with Wendy, Chuck and the four kiddos.  It was crazy crowded but the food was great and the company greater!

We ate and enjoyed a photo op while we waited for Wendy and her gang to arrive.  When they did, they ate their meals while my beggers traded kids meal toys for ice cream.

 We of course got our group shot with Santa Cow and Santa Elf.

 The kids also got to each make a Christmas ornament.  Then they were served hot chocolate and could choose their toppings: marshmallows, sprinkles, candy cane, whip cream.  Time with friends was great!

Pathfinders Community Service

Anthony graduated from Adventurers Club last spring and started Pathfinders this fall.  I only vaguely know what goes on there as that is about the level of details Anthony provides me with.  However, for their community service project they needed to have additional meet times, so I was able to get info!

They started by collecting paper bags from grocery stores.  My favorite Kroger is likely very glad we are done with this project as many times as I hit them up for bags.  After the kids race last weekend we headed to the Lynchburg SDA church.  I was hoping we'd get there in time for church but it didn't happen and I'd prefer to not attend things than to attend late.  So we sat in the parking lot, walked around the perimeter of the church and repeated a few times until we saw church was over.  Then I had Anthony (somewhat reluctantly) meet up with the Pathfinders.  His shyness and the lack of kids his age make him more hesitant.  Luckily his best buddy DJ stayed and did the project, even though he is a yr younger and not in Pathfinders yet.  The kids ate lunch and then they drove around the neighborhood delivering the empty brown paper bags with a note requesting non perishables and letting them know we would be by in a week to pick up the bags if they had anything to leave them on their porch.  Jayna, Will and I returned to pick him up at 3:30ish.

This Saturday we did make it to Sunday School and church with no time to spare... down side of working 3rd shift is trying to get places on time w/ kids on weekends.  We enjoyed Ms. Kim's Sunday School Class, a lesson on Nehemiah a game of balance and then bible Bingo.  The Church service was especially unique and heartfelt.  It was a Prayer, Praise and Healing Service.  Afterwards we all shared in a pot luck lunch. 
After we ate the Pathfinders met and went out to retrieve the bags of food.  They were so find and allowed Anthony's friend Alonza to join in-- as it is very rare to have a weekend w/o a friend sleeping over in our household.  I stayed and helped clean up the lunch area.  As is always the case it was especially nice to spend some time with Mrs. Melanie in between cleaning up and the kids returning. 

I think they did well with all the food they collected, and best of all they all seemed to enjoy collecting it from the houses!

The whole group of Pathfinders who collected/sorted food (there was also Alonza and DJ not in pathfinders who helped)

sorting the foods into piles (breakfast, soup, meats, veggies, fruits, rice, pasta, dessert)

Mrs. Melanie and I made up two boxes for two families we knew who would certainly benefit from a box of food.  Mrs. Melanie also donated 5 turkeys.  My kiddos and I delivered the first delivery of 2 turkeys and a box of food on my way to third shift.

On Sunday late afternoon we delivered the next box of food and two more turkeys.

I found out about a third family who was extremely low on food.  So I asked Mrs. Melanie if we could give that family the 5th turkey and she said yes.  I bought them enough food to last until the end of the month when I went to Kroger that evening.  My mom-in-law also donated a bag of potatoes.  It truly is a group effort and I am so glad to know these three families I personally know will have full bellies for this week! 

1 turkey, 4 bags of food, 1 bag of potatoes and a gallon of milk

I love how the kids school and church teach them to have a heart of service and giving.  It was equally neat when we delivered it to watch the kids excited to carry the bags, boxes and turkeys.  I hope they continue to show compassion and a willingness to serve others forever!

We Love Camping

We had our fall camping trip with Adventurers Club on Nov 1st-2nd.  It was supposed to be outdoors but thanks to some very low temps we simply rearranged that plan.  We had our camping adventure in the church/school gym!

We started off with the guide award.  We mad a map of our area and put each of our homes and addresses on it.  Then we took turns blindfolding someone and giving them directions.  It was rather comical at times--- turn left, no your other left ;-)

Then we started working on the cooking award.  The kids would prepare a 4 course meal, serve it and clean up after it.  Each camper was assigned a task!

 First Natalie and Jayna prepared the soup with Mrs. Laura.  Then of course they serves it.  I was surprised how it was the first time some of our campers ever had tomato soup.  Every last drip was eaten!  In our household of 4 we can never even down 1 can of tomato soup!

Next we had the prayer award and our time of worship together.

The second course of our meal was walking taco salad.  The kids had to shred lettuce, shred cheese, dice tomatoes, DJ and Anthony were too eager to smash chips, and then they served the taco salad along with condiments of sour cream, salsa and taco sauce.  Mr. Alan supervised Alexus, Tabi, Jewell, Cameron, D.J. and Anthony.

Mr. Blair supervised Sage, Ariel and Alonza making what he called "Tube Steaks" and what normal... err I mean typical people commonly call Hotdogs!

I supervised Will and Mateo making drink

Everyone was eager and ready to play Sardines-- similar to hide and seek in the dark--- well everyone but the big people who were cozy by the fire.

While most the kids were still playing Sardines Lexi, Tabi and Diamond helped Mrs. Melanie and Mr. Scott make our dessert: smores in a cup.

 Then we worked on our 4th award: hand shadows and we let the kids play with glow sticks

We played a greatly fun hula hoop game--- but since I was playing, no pictures available.  The kids got about 15 mins more of free time.  It was about 11 then, so all the kids had to get ready for bed and a last bit of fun around the fire before bed.

All the kiddos crawled into the tents, zippered their doors and got into their sleeping bags.

 

Some lucky campers slept well--- and others heard lots of coughing and were cold.  I was in that cold group!

As kids woke up-and adults too we gathered around the fire to warm up and most enjoyed a cup of hot chocolate or coffee.

Levi and Miko prepared and served everyone breakfast: apple slices, bananas, cheerios, mini-muffins and yogurt

 AND THEN--- THE EXCITEMENT I COULD HAVE DONE WITHOUT...
We were starting to tear down camp-- take down tents, clean up, pack bags.... Anthony wanted to tear down our map poster---He came and asked Mrs. Melanie and me.  At first I said no.  Then Mrs Melanie said it would almost be worth it to see the smiles n their faces (the boys who wanted to tear it down) so we said ok go ahead.  Anthony didn't wait for any other boys to help.  No one was really thinking about the stuff behind the poster (gymnastics mats for about 2.5 feet then a wall), but I also think we thought he was going to do a karate chop or something to it.... run up to it then chop.... yeah that's not what happened.... he ran alright... and fell to the floor.  I thought he was being silly... then realized he was hurt but I still told him to get up and calm down.... and then the down pour of blood gushed from his nose and some from his mouth.  It took 2 blood drenched shirts before the flow stopped- but still it was bleeding some and it was clearly painful.  Pastor Mike drove us to the Urgent Care.  I showed great restraint in not taking 100 pictures of this accident, a is my norm when each kid got stitches to the head (5 and 8 yrs ago).  His nose was broken.  There was no magic cure.  We left with ice and a rx for a nasal spray to get the swelling down.

running into the mats/wall; and Anthony's face 4 hours after the injury happened

While we were there the adults had finished tearing down camp and Mrs. Melanie had taken most my crew back home to their houses.  So I just went straight home with Anthony and Alonza-- mom took Jayna to church.
Later on we headed to Mr. Goody's ice cream for their last day and because I hear ice cream can fix anything.  And I got to meet the most precious Miss Aliyah, my friend's daughter born in June <3
It is an understatement to say this was quite the memorable weekend :-)