Give Thanks

This year we celebrated our blessings up in beautiful Star Valley, Wyoming. Roland's parents live there and planned a beautiful dinner. ROland's dad learned to fry whole turkeys several years ago and every year we reap the rewards of his 'know-how'. I don't eat turkey unless it is fried, it is that good. He also makes unbelieve gravy, I am not a leftovers person especailly mashed potatoes but I am home for a day now and wished I would have brought some home when they were offered. I don't know why it is that good but it is like no gravy I have never tasted. The rest was great as well. Roland's family has a tradition of cinnamon rolls as part of the feast and I ask you is there anything better than a fresh cinnamon roll?

We had a fun time when we weren't eating as well. Charlotte and Belly had endless amounts of fun, playing with cousins they didn't know they had, charming everyone with their sweet faces. Charlotte had some great fun with Grandma Scherbel doing puzzles and playing memory. She requested that G.ma Scherbel brush her hair (Charlotte never WANTS her hair brushed) She had a great time out in the snow, Uncle Ryan pulled her around on a sled with cousin Nathan. Belly just walked around the house checking out everyone and making friends. It has been almost a year since Belly and I visited so she had a lot of friends to make.
My favorite Thanksgiving, early CHristmas tradition is cutting down our own Christmas tree. Every year Roland' s mom gets us a permit to cut down a tree. We have so much fun hiking around in the snow. Walking or running from grove to grove looking for the perfect tree. We have never found the perfect tree but love the imperfections of the trees we have found.

Some pictures from our fun weekend.

Everyone watching as I cut down our tree. Charlotte eating snow, Isabel fighting Dad to put her down so she could eat snow.

Me, starting my decent down the mountain side, dragging my tree behind me. Every year we remind ourselves that we were going to bring a sled.

Why not take advantage of the back drop for an impromptu family picture.

They said dinner started at 4, so I am starting to eat at 4. Charlotte was ready to eat, tiding herself over with a little bit of dip.

A big deer we saw while up the canyon looking for a tree. Charlotte said that she (obviously not a she) was looking for her family. When the deer turned a ran away Charlotte asured us that she found them. Yeah, we were worried too.

Yep, me with a hand saw cutting down my tree.

Sweet Charlotte. Roland took her shopping with him the other day and at the check out counter the employee looked at Charlotte and said,'What a doll.' Charlotte replied,'I'm not a doll, I'm a kid.'

Dad and Belly. I cannot believe this girl's love of life and adventure. She is a gentle, darling girl who is always on her way to get or do something but she will always take a break for a hug.

Cousins. C and Belly and Nathan posing in the snow.

We are grateful that we have been blessed with good family that we can count on and that love us.

Dare I say....On to Christmas.