Happy Thanksgiving!

 It was a lovely Thanksgiving.  I had a little help from Ben and Sarah to get the food done on time.  This also made it so I could go to the Turkey Trot with the wrestlers and Ben and I made some good progress on the Christmas cards.  We all got to relax and enjoy Thanksgiving dinner, as Maren and the whole crew did a great job of creating an amazing potluck feast in a lovely setting.

We played some great games (Rummikub--the classic) and also Left Right Center.  We recycled the same $25 through multiple rounds, with Rory finally taking home the big pot after we left.  (Ben & Sarah stayed for a sleep over, while Derek and I left pretty early since he's been sick with a nasty cold.) 

We got the traditional full group photo, then I really forgot to take many other photos.  We really missed Libby, but got some live updates from the White family in Iowa that she was celebrating with.  They do Thanksgiving in a big shed on their farm, including games and dodgeball.  Love that she has "family" there now too. 

The Turkey Trot Girls :)

More of the team--this is a legit 5K (or walking route that is shorter) with a serious hill at the end. 

A couple brave souls did a polar plunge after. I walked down to see it, then had to walk all the way back up to the car to come down and get them.  Not my best plan.  But my body handled it better than I expected. 

Pre Thanksgiving Movie time in Iowa. 

Plaid! (Of course I wore my fancy fleece.) 

Waiting for everyone to get in the pic. 

More waiting

More waiting (people kept arriving as we were lining up)

All here! 

Closer up...Derek was feeling spicy. Non-photo compliant. 

Then the other Tricia and I swapped so I could be in the picture. I just jumped into her spot instead of standing with Derek.  Haha. 

Petting a Kitty time in IA 

I seriously won the first round of Rummikub with these two numbers.  I had a very lucky day and almost won the 2nd round as well, but I had one number left when Veronica won. 

Jed with the Left Right Center winnings...that he then recycled back into future rounds.  Haha.  This game is super easy and fun.  

I write my traditional gratitude journal entry, as I went straight into baking mode after walking Buddy in the morning, but I have so much to be thankful for this year.  I'm thankful for the gospel of Jesus Christ, the church, and seminary. I'm thankful for my awesome Randall and Norton families.  I'm thankful for my job and my great class this year.  I'm thankful for doctors that keep working to help me with my headaches and hip pain.  (Botox this week for the headaches!). I'm thankful for a great husband who works hard.  I'm thankful for wrestling.  I'm thankful for the chance I had to do some writing this year and all I'm learning as I work to try and sell my book.  I'm thankful for my home and the chance to try to improve it (and just keep it clean!) that is so fun and beautiful.  I'm thankful for Libby's chance to be wrestling in college.  I'm thankful for car insurance in 2025--and hope to never need the chance to be thankful for it again.