Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving! I can't believe we made it this far. To say this year has been unusual would be the understatement of the century. It has been a roller coaster of anxiety, change, and the unknown. Jeff and I have vacillated between being uber vigilant and strict in our activities to avoid the spread of this virus to being so fatigued from all the restrictions and changes that we *wisely* throw caution to the wind to invite people into our home, participate in community events, or simply go out to eat. This year, in one way or another, has been tough for everyone. People have lost their jobs, their homes, and their loved ones. Mental health has teetered as we have been socially separated.  Our local and national economy has taken a hit while certain supplies have never been fully restocked. For weeks, we have been warned to keep our Thanksgiving celebrations to only those people who are living within our homes, but this was a moment of fatigue that Jeff and I decided not to follow those restrictions. I wish I could say that there wasn't any anxiety tied to our decision, but there was. I was worried that the higher risk individuals in our group would be in danger because of our desire to be together for the weekend. I wondered if at any moment, one of us would contract the virus and spread it to the others. While the majority of us would likely survive, there are a couple family members who have significant enough risks that the worry remained as a small undercurrent for the entire weekend. However, we all felt that gathering together was more important than the risks. (So far...so good. No one has even exhibited feeling sick in the slightest, but as I'm writing this, we are still a few days away from knowing for sure if anyone contracted the virus. If I don't mention anything in my future posts, you can be assured that all is well.)

This year, I was blessed to have all my siblings and parents join us. This is the first time we've all been together in the same place and the same time in 4 years! It meant a lot to each of us to have the opportunity to be together. There was much to be thankful for...and many more laughs to share. As our individual families evolve, it is harder and harder to get together (in fact, the older kids decided to go to California for Thanksgiving so not even all of my little family was with us). The grandkids grow up and go to college or get married or have babies. My siblings start to establish (or have established) their own holiday traditions. Instead of vacationing in my family of origin, I vacation with my own spouse and kids. Life simply happens. It can be a little messy as we all experience the disappointments and frustrations that accompany these evolutionary moments in our families, but new joys, new traditions, new memories are established too. Still, even as crazy as this year has been, it was good to have my parents and siblings with me for Thanksgiving. Jeff and I had the privilege of hosting this year. We invited everyone to join us. For a moment, I was pretty sure I was crazy to undertake such a feat without a finished kitchen, but our small holiday miracle happened (see previous post). My parents, the Lowes, Michael and Jackie all flew or drove in a day or two before Thanksgiving Day. On Wednesday, Jeff, Jonas, and I kept up our little ice skating tradition. Even though we missed everyone else, Jonas loved skating with his Dad. There were several times that Jonas said his feet were tired, but he kept going because Jeff did. It's amazing how much better he has gotten in a year. Thank goodness for some lessons!

On Thanksgiving morning, we all gathered at my house. Jeff has been dealing with a kidney stone for over a month. He received a lithotripsy a week ago to break up the stone, but he has still experienced pain since then as he has passed the pieces. Between his discomfort and the fact that he had an emergency job that kept him out until 1:00 a.m. plus the countertops being installed and not to mention the COVID restrictions (whew!), we did not go to Cracker Barrel for breakfast or to see a movie as we have in the past. Instead, we simply stayed home and enjoyed each other's company. It was a little crazy as we dodged the countertop installers as we prepared our meal, but by feast time, it was all us! It snowed that morning so when Kate showed up, Jonas and Kate played in what little snow was there. Jonas tried to stand up on the sled (it didn't end well) and they both made mini-snowmen. 

The kids continued to play while the female adults got busy in the kitchen. It was like I remember it growing up. Coordinated chaos in the kitchen while the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade played on the TV in the background. We made sure to have some cute appetizers (thanks Krystle) to quell the "hangry" moments while we finished preparing the feast. Once the food was prepared, the feast began! I know many people say that Thanksgiving is "just a meal". I have even been guilty of making that rationalization at times; but it's more than that, it's a time with family. It's a time when we prepare a specific menu. It's a time when people have work off and can participate in activities together. It's a meaningful holiday when we reflect on things for which we are grateful...and these people are high on my thankful list.

Since we were all together, of course we had to take a few pictures. Michael's girlfriend, Jackie, and Scott's girlfriend, Kat, joined our picture as well. Obviously, we were missing a few, but this is the most we've had together for a picture in a long time.

After we cleaned up dinner and took pictures, it was time to roll out the first round of sweets! Pies! Because of my culinary and kitchen limitations, I didn't make any pies but I bought the best out there! Let's just say, I couldn't make a homemade pie better than Red Barn.

Following pies, we impatiently waited for the sun to go down then headed to the Festival of Lights in Spanish Fork. Jeff prepared the dump trailer so we could enjoy the lights from there. I love watching the kids experience the lights...or even some of the adults who had never seen them before. After the lights, we came home to another sugar smorgasbord. We had a hot cocoa bar with left over pie and donuts. My nephews were hilarious! I opened the box of donuts and Lincoln's eyes grew big as he reverently whispered, "Wow!" Nolan had to remind himself that it wasn't a dream. Krystle and I laughed! Obviously, we don't always have this much sugar in a weekend.

We kept up the Christmas magic (with slightly less sugar) the rest of the weekend. When we weren't doing some festive activity, we simply hung out at either our house or Krystle's. Friday morning, Jonas and I decorated for Christmas. He had been BEGGING to put up our tree for at least the past week. That is his favorite part. I woke up before he did so I could set up the other decorations. It was agonizing for him to wait until Gma and Papa arrived for us to set up the tree. Little did he know, Jingle arrived too! Jonas was so excited to see Jingle at our front door with all the kids' annual ornaments.

After we decorated, we went to Krystle's to hang out before attending Luminaria that evening. It is always a little crazy with a group our size, but I think everyone enjoyed it. I know I did. This is my favorite light display. There were many in our group who had never been, which always makes it more fun. I love seeing them experience it for the first time. A couple of the little kids weren't as patient with the surprising crowds and endless paths (from their point of view), but when they saw a couple of Santa's reindeer, all was forgiven! Plus, there was a fun Yeti at the end of the walk that was cute to find. I can't wait to take all my kids again in a couple of weeks.

Saturday was our last day together. We kind of split up. Based on how the kids reacted to Luminaria, Krystle opted to simply hang out at her house with Mom and Dad while Nichole, Kate, and I went to find the elves at Gardner Village. These guys are just as whimsical and fun as the witches. To be honest, I think I like them a little bit better because...well...it's all about Christmas!

While we were hunting elves, the boys were perfecting their marksman skills. Even the little boys got to shoot their BB guns. Jonas is SUPER excited to get his from Santa.

That evening, we celebrated Krystle's birthday with dinner, a couple of gifts and a pecan pie (her favorite). I was sad to finally say goodbye to everyone. I loved forgetting about the current pandemic situation and simply enjoy some of my favorite holiday traditions with the people I love the most. I am excited to end 2020 on a positive note. I'm excited to start our 12 Acts of Christmas Kindness. I look forward to experiencing the magic of the season. I long for the opportunities that this time of year provide to reflect on all the good (and not-so-good) of the past year. 2020 has been a roller coaster year, but there is much to be grateful for!