We spent a delightful Thanksgiving with Rick, Rebecca, and their boys at their home in Georgia. Christiane and Roger joined us which enabled the whole family to be together. Thanksgiving morning was spent preparing the food that was to be eaten that afternoon. It turned out to be a banquet. Christiane along with Logan prepared six pies for the event while other members of the family worked on various dishes from the oven roasted turkey and ducks to the mashed potatoes, escalloped corn, and green bean casserole. We are including a picture of a fig pie that was made from a fig tree grown in Rick and Rebecca's yard.
Early that afternoon we were joined by Rick's sister, Peggy, and daughter, Rachel, and his brother, Larry and family along with Rick's mother, Dottie. All of them brought many delicious side dishes as well. As we shared this sumptuous meal together we each had an opportunity to tell about the things for which we are thankful. This was a very special and meaningful time together. It has been a real blessing to be able to get to know Rick's family. It seems like our two families blend well together.
The day after Thanksgiving we went to Peggy's home (Rick's sister) for a hike in the woods and more food. The weather was delightful which made the walk that much more enjoyable. Dottie is an avid hiker and even belongs to a hiking club. When we went by her house, she showed us her hiking boots and walking stick, which has a large number of seals signifying various locations where she has hiked during her lifetime. After the hike we enjoyed another meal with the same group that were at Rick's and Rebecca's for Thanksgiving.
It was a wonderful time to be able to spend Thanksgiving with our family as well as some of Rick's family. What made it even more enjoyable was not having to fight the crowds to shop on Black Friday. Instead Rick, Rebecca, Roger, Darien, Logan, and Paul went to a Christmas tree farm and cut a nine foot tree for their home. It was quite a chore as a tree had to be cut with a little hand saw instead of a chain saw, which gave Rick, Roger, and Darien quite a workout.
Not wanting to miss the Thanksgiving festivities, Penny and Patsy were willing to ride all the way to Georgia in our Explorer. Going down our vehicle was filled with all of the gifts that were given to Rick and Rebecca at the tea at the end of July. So with these items, the puppies, and our belongings, we were loaded to the max. We have found in several trips that we have taken, both of our puppies are really good travelers. Even though they are only five months old, they handled the trip to Georgia and back without any problems.
Returning home we stopped and spent the night with Paul's brother and sister-in-law in Knoxville, Tennessee. On Sunday morning we attended church with them before heading to Roger's in Kentucky where we stayed Sunday night. This helped to break up the long trip back to Michigan from Georgia.
We are very blessed and realize how important it is to have thankful hearts for all that God has provided for us. Every day needs to be a day of thanksgiving.
Blessings and Encouragement,
Paul, Gail, Patsy, and Penny
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