Our Thanksgiving.... posting a few days late.

Happy Belated Thanksgiving! The morning of, we all got up and went to church...... Adam and Julia took part in the special music. It was very nice to have my Aunt and Matt and Jenn join us. Afterwards, Matt took a family photo for us.

Here is one of John and I.

A few of them decided to walk back home.

Later in the afternoon, family started to show up, and of course we chit-chatted.

Adam tried the sparkling juice...... by the looks of it, it was a little too sparkly.

Julia led the puzzle brigade---- and we put together three 500 piece puzzles in two days.

We visited some more.

Around three o'clock, everything was ready--- just waiting for our final guests to arrive.

So, the kids shot basketballs.

And got thrown up in the air.

Finally, we gathered around the table to give thanks.

We served everything buffet style which allowed more elbow room around the table.

This was Alex's first Thanksgiving. He enjoyed all the food, and we enjoyed spending the first of many holidays with our new son.

Dennis and Alex couldn't wait to get to the desserts. Dennis even tried to take Alex's cookie from him.

Cousin Matt and Anna.

Anna and Sveta. Boy, have they grown over the past few years.

This past week has been incredibly hard. Emotionally charged to say the least. Here with me, my very best friend sits next to me with his arm around me.

Adam and Julia playing a duet.

Andrew and William

In case you didn't know, our family tradition is to go swimming on Thanksgiving and Christmas. This is one tradition I refuse to partake in, but the tradition lives on anyway. This year, I think 8 or 10 people went swimming.

The water was only 51 degrees..... can you say crazy?

Traditionally, the ones that swim also get paid.... Jonny raked in the dough.

Alex had fun watching everyone!

Cousin Jenn also passed on the swimming, but offered to warm up Sveta with a hug.

Tina is a wonderful friend of mine..... we love her and her whole family for that matter. It was nice having them join us for Thanksgiving.

Jonny's face says it all...... Baboonya's cookies are heavenly.

Sveta gives a thumbs up to the desserts.

Cousin Matt with Rachel

This year, Dennis enjoyed all the food.... especially the pumpkin pie.

We played lots of games. Rummikub is still a fave.

But I don't think it can top Beyond Balderdash. We all had so much fun.... and were literally laughing so hard that we nearly peed our pants. It was medicine for my soul.

Friends, family, food, and the best fellowship I have had in a long time...... Thanksgiving was wonderful.