Thanksgiving with the Larsons

We were so blessed to host Dana's family's Thanksgiving gathering this year, here in KC! Our little house expanded from having 2 people to 6 people and a dog. We had a wonderful time with the Larsons (all except for Matt): we got to show them around our new area, play lots of games, enjoy good fellowship, and cook a HUGE COSTCO turkey. It's been a pretty lonely fall as we've been adjusting to our new life and making friends, and it felt SO GOOD to be surrounded by people who already knew and loved us and to catch up with them!!

Eric arrived on the Saturday before Thanksgiving after spending all night on a Greyhound bus from Chicago. We had a few days with him before the rest of the gang arrived from Colorado. My hard-working husband spent his break working extra early-morning hours at COSTCO, so most days he came home at 1:30 and took a nap, and then we could all hang out. Eric had a lot of homework to do, so he and I enjoyed some quiet days at home.

Then, on Tuesday night, Mom, Dad, Joel, AND Reepicheep arrived from Castle Rock, and the house exploded into a cocoon of happy noise, good eating, and general mayhem. :) It was lovely.

John and I had never cooked a turkey before, so John just picked one up from work, not realizing how massive COSTCO turkeys really are. When John brought this 23 pound turkey out of the kitchen to show it off, the dog literally yelped, ran under and table with his tail between his legs, and stood staring at it really suspiciously. Granted, the turkey is like 4 times bigger than Reep.

 Sitting down to Thanksgiving dinner:

 It's hard to be a dog:

 

 A serious game of Nerds:

 Enjoying a sunset along the river:

 

My family has a funny obsession about taking pictures with statues. Here, Joel and I are conversing with Ben Franklin. On a side note, notice how I can't zip up my coat anymore, I can only button the top. It's cold being a pregnant lady in winter. 

 We found a cheese and import shop!

 Admiring the Christmas lights at the famous Kansas City Country Club Plaza:

 I am so grateful for my family and the special times we spend together!! In our modern age, it is such a blessing to have parents who still love each other, brothers who are growing up into great men, and a caring and devoted husband. Thank you, Lord Jesus!