Thanksgiving Traditions 11/21

With the blessing of extended families and the newly added miles between existing, we are creatively finding ways to comfortably work in time with those that are dear to us. So for a couple of years now we have started a new tradition of going to my mom's the weekend before Thanksgiving to celebrate. It seems to work best this way for the Waite family to get to spend some relaxing time together. All in all there are 16 of us that sit down for a Thanksgiving meal. I have never had to host a Thanksgiving dinner and feel blessed for that. I also did not realize how much I actually enjoy the time in the kitchen preparing the meal with my mom and sister until I thought Brandi was going to miss this year.

To my surprise, Friday night as we were settling the kids down from the 3 hour ride, Brian pops his head into my room to say they had arrived. Although happy to see the boys and Phill had a safe trip, I realized I desired for my sister to be there. "Hi," she pops her head in the room to say, "we made it." Then casually walks out. "Wait, you are here," I jump up to give her a hug. So the family was together to take walks by the stream, split wood, go to the craft fair down at the two-town school, relax and play hand-held video games, and watch Christmas movies. Skylar's must have entertainment, to spend time snuggling on Nana's bed with Abby. But she did do more than just lounge around. Daddy and Skylar collected a pail full of acorns and apples to feed to the deer. Her and Papa are going to make a pile for them. Here are 'the boys' all coming back from ???? Look now, this seems to be the only picture I have of Dustin. He is always on the run out there. I am so accustomed to running around and doing so much at home that it is nice to take the time to just sit and relax and it is a fine place and time to do just that. I found myself just sitting on a bench and sneaking a peak at Adam playing baseball in the yard with the kids. He is famous for that. Just to sit and watch the memories that are being made is wonderful. I also found a moment to sneak down to the waterfall by myself to take a few pictures. What an amazing piece of creation, just flowing through your yard. The sound and the sight were equally beautiful. It was not long before I was found. What a relaxing time.

I will say that it was a better trip this time knowing that the sound my van was making last time, was not going to happen this time. We had just brought it in 4 days prior to have it checked out. The mechanic found that there was a belt that was going and was able to repair it. It is so nice to know the Lord watches over us. As we started our trip, we got as far as Manchester and saw this on the front of a truck as a reminder that He does...Can't beat that for Christmas lights.