What a week its' been. So much fun to have the kids and grandkids all here. The kids from Seattle came Friday night. It was Baby B's first visit to PopPop and Nana's and Grandboy N and Grandprincess were thrilled to be back again. The last time they were here was for Oma's funeral in June and then the last stage of Mama's pregnancy kept them all close to home. We had a fun Saturday, doing food preparation for Sunday's meal, making and playing with Play doh, riding bikes and playing trucks in the basement playroom.

Then the Saskatchewan contingent arrived Sunday morning, Grandboys E and K were so excited after their first (remembered) plane ride and when the cousins were all reunited, the excitement reached an all time high. The baby had to be admired and held, stories of the trip had to be told and of course, they all had to go into the hot tub as soon as could be arranged.

The toys came out and Nana's newest acquisition - pop beads - became an instant hit with adults and children alike. (Check them out at Costco - they're in a plastic bottle with a yellow lid and have a large 'Parents' label.)

Of course Grandprincess was in her glory (as was Auntie C) but the boys loved them too - only they made SUPERHERO" necklaces, bracelets and rings!

At 2:30 the extended family came in a rush each bearing their contribution to the feast. How blessed I am to have a family who insists on helping with the meal - all I had to make were the pies, the turkey, the stuffing and the gravy.) The weather was so gorgeous that we'd told everyone to join us for an excursion to the Othello Tunnels near Hope. If you're unfamiliar with them, they are in the Coquihalla canyon and were part of the Kettle Valley Railway in years past. There are 5 tunnels separated by bridges and you can walk through them. It was a great way to work up a good appetite.

Dinner was fabulous as usual - we were 24 at the table this year. I love having the house full of family. There was one big hole though - Mom was spending Thanksgiving at the throne of God this year instead of celebrating here with us. We miss her so much. She was so much a part of everything - chatting with the kids, playing with the grandkids and so interested in everything. She was a huge help too, setting food out, and cleaning up in the kitchen so that there was little to do after she went home. She is at the top of my list of things to be thankful for.

After dinner we put the food away and headed outside where we ended our day around the campfire.

As the grandkids sang in the table grace:(to the tune of "Frere Jaques") :

Thank you Father, Thank you Father
for this food, for this food,

and our many blessings, and our many blessings,

Amen, Amen.

Psalm 95 says:

Come, let us sing for Joy to the LORD;

let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.

Let us come before Him with thanksgiving and extol Him with music and song.

For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods.

Amen and Amen!