The morning after we arrived home from our mission we were visited by two cute boys. They were eager to go out in the snow and we think they were looking for food treats. We had snow but no food. We offered them oatmeal. They didn't stay long.
Our schedule allowed us to attend Jameson's basketball game and Jenna's ballroom dance performance. We loved being able to see the kids do their activities.
On Monday we were back in Murray for doctor checkups. That worked out well as it gave us the chance to meet Tricia for lunch. She flew in town to help her dad after an unscheduled surgery.
We were also able to purchase some of the food we needed to prepare our part of the upcoming Thanksgiving feast.
Monday night I hosted my bookclub group. Our book was about a couple who had served in Palmyra, New York for many years in the early 1900's to create a relationship between the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and antagonistic community. They worked hard and accomplished much. We mostly ate pumpkin pie and fruit and I talked about our mission experience.
My mission friend, Vickie Briggs, agreed to attend. Below Steve holds a Thanksgiving quilt/wall hanging I made for Kathy and Brent.
On our way to Rexburg on Wednesday, we stopped by to visit my sister, Jackie, and her husband Val.
It was great to see them and fun to have Jackie play her new piano for me. She works hard with a trainer and has lost over 70. Congrats, Girl!
That evening at Heather's we all celebrated Korinne's 13th birthday. This year her birthday falls on Thanksgiving Day but we wanted to make sure she wasn't lost in the holiday bustle.
Heather surprised us with two cats procured to help with rodent control. Feeding them and keeping them outside is a bit of a challenge and was entertaining for several people.
We always enjoy it when one of the grandkids decides to give us a piano performance. Thanks, Britton!
By late morning, we had all driven to Aunt Kathy Lewis's to finish our meal preparations and start our mingling and eating.
The food was scrumptious as usual! Kids played games, some watched TV, others perused the ads. We can't owl anymore since the bowling alley is closed on Thanksgiving now. We did have the piñata though and posed for family photos.
L-R: Britton, Jameson Hilary, Kristen, Steve, Heather, Quinn. Back: Adam, Jantzen, Elsie, Anna, Korinne, Tanner, Jenna, Brinley and Aaron. Thanks, Kathy. You and Brent are the best!
Steve and I ended the day by taking these ganddaughters, Elsie, Jenna, Korinne, Anna and Brinley shopping as Korinne's birthday treat. It was a cute group to hang with and we survivied a couple of hours of "Black Friday" shopping.
Brent and Kathy's grandkids at Thanksgiving.
The weekend aftr Thanksgiving was a busy one, as Heather's family, Hilary's family and our good friends, Dave and Vickie Briggs all traveled to CV to support us and hear us report on our mission in church.
That involved more eating of course but we kept the preparations simple and enjoyed just being together. It was great that our friends, Dave and Vickie could meet and get acquainted with some of our family members.
We headed back to SL for more Dr. checkups and to do final packing for our next big trip. On Wednesday, November 28th, we boarded our first flight on a long trip to Australia and New Zealand. We had booked and paid for this trip prior to our mission but ended up being able to postpone it for a year to serve in Missouri. We are now off on a long-awaited adventure.
It was great to see them and fun to have Jackie play her new piano for me. She works hard with a trainer and has lost over 70. Congrats, Girl! 
