Thanksgiving 2013

Hope you had a fabulous Thanksgiving weekend!  We did.  Sadly, we had to take Beckie back to St. Louis Tuesday afternoon.  It was way too short of a visit but I am so grateful for the little time we did have to spend with her.  We went to the temple before driving back to Columbia that night and Beckie flew out early Wednesday morning.   I cleaned and baked all that day and  I made three kinds of pie (all gluten-free)-   pecan, pumpkin, and strawberry. 

Thursday was one of our more quiet Thanksgiving celebrations with just Emily, Joe, Noah, Lucy, Quinn, Steven, Tamara, Melanie, and Sarah.  The Southerlands arrived around 10:00 and we didn’t eat until 3:00.   

 

We got to chat with Kirsti via Skype and we also visited with Elise and Julina.  We watched “Home Alone” which Noah quite enjoyed. We watched parts of the parade and the dog show.  We had amazing food (my gluten-free stuffing was actually enjoyed by all) and we were all very grateful for all our many blessings.

Friday morning, Steve and I and the Southerlands drove out to visit the donkeys and horse at the Sherman’s place south of town.  Aside from being a bit chilly, the kids had a great time (well, the  grownups did, too).  

 

 

For lunch, we opened up the above-ground fire pit and started a fire for hotdogs and marshmallows.  

 Later that afternoon, I had a duo gig for a wedding reception up in Moberly.  It was for an LDS bride and groom and they wanted background music for their small reception at a local country club.  Only, they didn’t want to pay much money so the mother of the bride e-mailed me looking to recommend someone in the area who would play for basically free.  I currently do not have many advanced private students but I thought of a couple of my high school students who could play duets.  However, one was going to be out of town for the holiday so that is how I got to play duets with one of my sophomore cellists up in Moberly and how dad got to come along since a teacher traveling with a student is not a good idea.  We got gas money, a basket of handmade soaps, a free meal , and a  great performing experience for my 10^th-grade student.  And, the Southerlands were invited to spend the evening with Genny Dawson and family so, there you go.  Thankfully, we got back in town in time for Dad to resume his marathon cookie baking project for his law school colleagues.  AND, we got to watch “White Christmas”.

Finally, Saturday, we bought our Christmas tree (Fraiser Fur – at Lowes. Our tree farm days are over.  Missouri just cannot grow the perfect kind of Christmas tree) and now it is sitting in the tree stand in the living room waiting for lights and decorations.  We pulled down decoration boxes from the attic and plan to decorate slowly as time permits.  AND, we went to see “Thor” in the theater.  It was Steven’s birthday present to me.  Wow!  We loved it.  A lot.