A Perfect Thanksgiving Weekend

Finally!  I got the Thanksgiving post done.  I have been working on it for weeks.  There were so many pictures and we all shared pictures, so they weren't in order. It is a monster post, but I finally got it done!  Enjoy!

We had the perfect Thanksgiving.  Princes' volunteered to host all of us at their home in Las Vegas.  Mackrorys came from Colorado and Camerons came from Logan, Utah.  

The Mackrorys came early and stayed with us a couple of days before we all headed down to Vegas.  The kids loved playing in the leaves.  I love this shot of Nathan.

Jared likes to find funny videos on his phone and share them with his family.

After FHE, the activity was pinchy, fisty, flatty, cutty, cow.

We did crafts:

Brielle made medals for all of the participants in the  turkey trot.

Each child made a turkey shirt for our upcoming turkey trot.

Even little William made one after he woke up from his nap.

Sammy is so proud of his creation.

Kristen had all of the kids make stained glass pictures

We cooked a lot of food and cleaned up the kitchen a lot of times:

Michelle made the Prince family traditional slushie for appetizers with her delicious cheeseball and crackers.

Blake was ALWAYS in the kitchen cooking and cleaning.  He and Ken did a lot of dishes.

It looks like the meal is almost ready.  A true group effort.

Kristen had us pause for a photo.

We prepared the tables (mostly Shonna and her kid helpers) and ATE!

It was a delicious meal.

Little kids table

Bigger kids table

And ate . . .

Most of the adults were packing up to leave on Saturday morning.  The rest of us got the 14 kids fed breakfast.  Such a beautiful group!

We exercised and even held our own Turkey Trot at a park near Prince's house.

Michelle, Kristen and Shonna went to a high fitness class on Thursday morning.  They had a blast.

Friday morning, we had our own Turkey Trot at a park near Princes' home.  At the starting line.  On your mark, get set, GO!

I tried to get pictures of each of them as they came across the mile mark- one lap around the trail.  I was so proud of all of them.  Many ran much longer than that.

Nathan and Jaron led the pack.  Both are really good runners.

Caleb was close behind them.

Lily and Blake.  Blake, who just ran a marathon, was in by far the best shape.  He would run with one child, then go find another one that needed encouragement and run with them.  He even carried a few.

Gabbi, who shouldn't have been running at all as she had a virus and fever, didn't want to be left out of the fun.

Here comes Kenny!

And Audrey and Jared.  Don't you love this picture?

Michelle, Brian and William

William

Jacob and Hannah

Gabe

Kristen and Brielle

Blake helping Kenny the 2nd time around.

It was cold.  I got Gabbi bundled up where she belonged.

The reward for many was playing in the park.

And we even danced and danced.

Brielle and Kristen doing the swing.

The kids played and played and played.  We didn't get many pictures, but they had a blast together. A game that was almost continuously running was tag.  The Princes large home made a great tag arena.

Lily and Audrey love to play together.

These five love to play together.  I call them the fort builders (what they did at our remion)  Jacob, Jaron, Gabbi, Nathan, and Caleb.

Little Elisabeth loved playing in this car.  The older kids took turns pushing her around.

The little ones loved having stories read to them.

Fun spinning in Grandpa's chair.

Kenny and Sammy getting acquainted.

Kenny's treasured hot wheels track provided a lot of entertainment.

We went to the Giving Machine in Summerlin.  I was deeply touched by our grandchildren's big hearts and generosity.  None of them have much, but all of them wanted to give.

The Camerons choosing what to give.

Elisabeth and Sammy bundled up against the cold.  It was very cold and windy.

The Mackrorys choosing.

I got these pictures of the sister missionaries emptying the machine when it got full.  Tears sprang to my eyes when I saw how generous people had been.

It was loaded.

The Prince family.

We held daily Come, Follow Me devotionals and played a really fun game of "Who Is It?"  Adults and kids alike loved this game.  We will have to play it again.  Notice Jared and Anepo's family joined us for the evening= pie, games, and Come, Follow Me devotional. We love to have them with us.

Singing our family theme song, "The Miracle."

I love this picture.

Grandpa hugs.

Grandma hugs

We surprised Shonna on Friday night (her birthday was Sunday) with a cake, presents and very loud Happy birthday song.

And of course, we took lots of pictures- Grandma always has to have pictures.

My dream was to get a picture of all the grandkids in their turkey shirts on the stairs.  Easier dreamed than done.  This is the best we got.  They aren't all there.

This one is really good except Jared and their two little ones aren't in it.  It breaks my heart.

Maybe this one was the best.  Sammy did not want to be there.

I love this one of everyone lined up for pie.

And, of course, our turkey trot one.

We are so grateful to Michelle and Brian for being willing to host this big crowd.  They made everything so nice for us.  It was a wonderful Thanksgiving.