Thanksgiving Memories

Remembering Thanksgiving days of the past today as we wait a few more days to celebrate. Our family chose Saturday as the best day to get the most people together, so our turkey is on hold. But here's a look back at past years; my photos start in 2007, when apparently I started saving them on the computer. I'll have to sort the hard copies one day to see if I have earlier ones--we didn't take nearly as many pictures when we had to take them in to be developed.

In 2007, the grandkids were a lot smaller! And they loved taking rides in the rickety trailer behind the tractor. As you can see, there was a little problem before they took off.

Clayton, pictured above, is now over 6 feet tall and in college. Kate (standing) is in her junior year of college and has been present at the birth of three babies born to her sister Jordan. Haley (right, long blonde hair) is also in college and in the Army National Guard. Hannah and Grace (seated in front of the photo) are seniors in high school this year, and Allison (left by the flat tire) is in her first year of college. Cassidy (in dark green between Kate and Haley) is makign her way in the music world in Nashville). Not in the photo are James and Michaela--I know they were here but perhaps they chose (wisely!) not to risk a ride with Poppa Larry.

But here's James and Michaela in 2008, when our guests were a bit fewer--this year they are both teenagers, and taller than me.

In 2009 we had a crowd again, about 20-25 people, as I remember. Great fun! This year we'll have about the same on Saturday when we celebrate. This was the year Anastasia made her famous from-scratch baklava, a taste I still remember.

 The quiet before the storm in 2009...

Me, Jon and his first grandchild, Cadyn. This was the last time we saw Jon, and I am so grateful for the time we had with him that weekend.

2010 saw us gathering together, trying to recover our family-ness after the loss of Jon in February. It was not easy; his memory was all around us (as it is every day, really) but still we had a good day being together.

2011 it was just Larry, me and Tommy, a smaller-than-usual group but still nice.

We miss our Tom, who is living in Florida now.

But in 2013 we went there to celebrate with him, and that was one of our best Thanksgivings ever!

Then last year the family gathered here again, and it was a very good time.

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