"We look for visions of heaven, 

and we never dream 

that all the time 

God is in the commonplace things 

and the people around us.” 

Oswald Chambers, quoted in These High Green Hills, Jan Karon,p 86

Hunter, Salyx, Talon, Ashton, Fisher, Eden and Grace playing tag

 The days couldn't have been more perfect during the Thanksgiving holiday - sunshine and blue skies.  Cori & Jesse, Grace, Grant & Eden drove up from Phoenix, Tiffany & Brett flew in from Phoenix, Arianne and her boys, Charlie, James and Nathanial  drove down from Salt Lake, Brittany and Cory, Ashton, Hunter and Macaleb are only a few blocks away and Ethan, Megan and Joshua joined us on Friday.  

Taking a cookie break, Fisher, Grant and Talon had to play a few games of Wii Sports

 When the Phoneix kids got up and looked outside, they were thrilled to see their little friends from Monticello playing next door.  They quickly got some games of tag going - and it made my heart glad to see them all out on the lawn . . . it took me back two decades ago when these kids' parents were out playing those same games together. It is delightful to see them all together again.

Fisher and Grant - Wii Baseball or maybe taht was golf . . .

Fisher and Talon look so much like their Dad!  

Grace and Grant, Hunter and Ashton getting a little air time

 The weather just begged us to be outdoors!  We got the leaves raked, a cord of wood piled and lots of air time on the trampoline.

Grant and Charlie, James and Nathanial on the slide with Arianne watching

 We had a lovely crowd of 22 for Thanksgiving ~ all of our family except D and D, (we missed you!) were here plus a few friends and neighbors. Normally, someone gets a photo shot of all of us at the very long table -but we didn't get even one this year! 

Jesse, Cori, Macaleb, Brett, Ray, Tiffany, Cory

After Thanksgiving dinner, the sports come on and newspaper ads are spread out and perused, shopping lists are made.  This living room was carpeted with newspaper.  After all of this, we get the game boards out and play Ticket to Ride, Corporation, Pinochle, Bobble, or Settlers nibbling away on treats and goodies until the wee hours of morning.

Ariaane, Jamisol, James, Jesse, Macaleb, Cori, Brett

 Here it is - the Technology Revolution ~ you've seen the ads and this is real!  Almost everyone is on their phone or computer!  

 Brittany made these cute tippie cupcakes for all the kids.

Eden and Tiffany ~ coloring

Like father, like son . . . how many times have we seen Cory take a photo of himself?  Hunter follows suit - only he took about 120 photos!

Macaleb

So grateful for these beautiful people Heavenly Father has blessed us with to call family ~ we love you all!