Here are some pictures from our day today. . .

Christina and Grandma put together the date pudding.
(They were just a little frustrated because the Cool Whip© was still frozen.)

Youngest Daughter is putting the three kernels of Indian Corn on each plate.

The table.  Notice the three kernels of corn.
It is a family tradition to go around the table and say three things that we are thankful for from the year that is just passed.  It is worth the food getting cold to hear what is said in that quiet time.

Faces of the afternoon:

Eldest Daughter and Beloved Son in Law



Friend Maegan and her precious little Izzy



Carving that turkey really wears a man out!



We got to have the kids for lunch —
and then they were going to Jessica’s family for another Thanksgiving dinner.



Jeremy and Maegan and Isabella Yoder.

And then, it’s time to begin the Christmas Village:


The window sills need to be cleared off.


I collect all the pilgrims and put them away.


Certain Man begins to move the furniture out of east end of the family room in preparation for the two big tables that will hold the village.


Middle Daughter climbed up onto the shelf above the basement stairs and helped to hand down the boxes.  When Youngest Daughter got called down from an afternoon nap, Middle Daughter got the brilliant idea to hide behind the boxes.


Boo!!!  She jumped out and surprised a very disgruntled little sister who was busy complaining about her precarious position on a ladder that was over the basement stairs.


“If I had fallen, you would have been sorry!!!” says a very tired Rachel.  “And you can be glad you were out of reach.  I probably would have smacked you!!!.”  The job at hand was very distasteful to her.  “I want to take a nap!  This is the part of Thanksgiving that I hate.  It’s no fun to carry boxes!”


I have news for you, girlie.  There are a few things about this day that I don’t particularly like, either. 



And all this uproar and disarray is no fun.
At all.   But . . .



. . . eventually, things will take shape and all the boxes will be empty, and the Christmas Village will be up and we will enjoy it so very much.
As of tonight, the major thing that is finished is that the tables are up, the boxes are down, the train is out and the family is ready to call it a night!  It is a good time to take it a little bit easy.
Certain Man will be working on this the next few days and I am so anxious to see the finished product.  He has been given some new buildings and accessories, and he is making some changes to his layout, so it will be very interesting to see the finished product.

Stay tuned for updates!