Giving Thanks on Thanksgiving

This is definately one to remember.

Ethan leaves on December 16th so Cady came up with the idea... lets have a family reunion "farewell" to Ethan!

There's nothing quite like Thanksgiving -- and one with all nine kids and all 24 grandkids and all but one son-in-laws plus Uncle Howard and Uncle Stever is... well, there's nothing quite like it. This morning three families left and tonight two others, leaving one family here, Leah's (and of course Amy and Ally nearby). I wonder when it will hit me that they're gone and we won't ALL be together again for at least two years. I wish we all lived closer.

The cousins played nonstop. The siblings talked and laughed and took pictures. We all cooked for Thanksgiving day and it was wonderful. (A tad hectic... no, it was extremely hectic) Two turkeys, a ham and 20 pounds of potatoes. Ten, or was it 11 homemade pies. Ethan made the rolls!

The drums were set up in the livingroom and Uncle Ethan and Uncle Adam, Justin, Isaac, Ammon and Zed and probably a lot of others, played almost constantly. At least until we'd tell them to quit. Actually they sounded pretty good! It's so neat to have such a musical family.

We had a talent show on Saturday night which was extremely interesting and entertaining. Daniel, your rendition of "Families Can be Together Forever" was my personal favorite! Lots of talent in this family and I can prove it -- we videotaped the whole thing.

On Sunday we all went to Church except for Ally and her kids since she had to work. Most of us sang in a Jacobsen Chorus. We sang "All Creatures of Our God and King", four part harmony. Ethan had a talk. We are all so proud of him. It was a wonderful Sunday and so great to have almost all the family at Church. I know they did it for Ethan. He is so loved in this family.

Here are some pictures.