Thanksgiving Day

On Wednesday night, Brinley sent a message in FB messenger inviting us to a mission zoom devotional and game event the next morning.  We were so happy about that opportunity.  I was going to be making mashed potatoes and green bean casserole for 20 that morning.  Our family has Thanksgiving at noon so that families can meet up with their other side of the family if needed that day.  

Bri also went over to Kerry's around 8:30 to "help" him fry turkeys.  Adam Bird, Nate and Scott McKown ususally head over but they were all out due to Covid.  (Adam was exposed.  Nate decided not to travel and Scott has it.)  My dad headed over with the same intentions as Brian, but they both said there wasn't really anything to help with.  I think Kerry probably appreciated the effort though, and it's nice to hang/help out with family.

Uncle Kerry...there was only one turkey fire this year.

The boys went to the annual Turkey bowl at 9:00.  They didn't have much to say about it.  They are both super athletic, and I did give Parker a little reminder to let everyone have fun playing.  (Aka...this is not the Super Bowl...but he kind of rolled his eyes and smiled and said, "it's obvious you are not very competitive Mom.") Hope everything went down good on the field.

Brian got up extra early and made the casserole and peeled all of the potatoes.  It was a wonderful Thanksgiving surprise, and I love him.  It made it much easier to enjoy Brinley's mission zoom gathering at 10:00.

Sisters Gwilliam & Maycock in the middle.

Aubrey and I logged on right away and enjoyed the devotional by President Nygaard.  One thing he focused on is not comparing ourselves to others.  We will be happier with our efforts and with those around us when we focus on just doing our best.

Here are a couple of phone picts from our meet up.  Dad and the boys came in and listened part way through.  When the games started, I logged off to quickly get dressed, but Aubrey stayed on.  I loved that Pres and Sister Nygaard had a $50 gift card to Walmart for the winners.  You could tell those missionaries were all about that.

We headed over to Kerry's at noon and he had everything set up so nicely.  We usually have 50 plus at Thanksgiving...extended family plus a few friends and missionaries usually.  This year we really tried to keep it small.  We didn't invite any extras...which was terrible.  It's nice to invite our single friends from the ward or a family we minister to.  Kerry spread out the seating, and we wore masks except when eating.  Gotta love Covid.

We held our breath when we took off our masks for this picture.  Mostly we are really trying to protect my parents and especially my mom.  She is delicate and has asthma.  Actually the whole King family plus me and Brian have already had Covid....so we counted that as a win.  Six fewer people who might be spreading it unknowingly.

Left-rt: Holden, Kerry, Quetta, Gram, Brian, Erin (me), Parker, Aubrey, Tanner, Lauron, Chris, Ang, Jeff, Erin, Laurel, David, Danielle, Ashley, Emily, Isaiah, David, Kate, Charity, Jake (Davidson), & Grandpa

Erin, Jeff, Kate, Jake, Charity

Aubrey & Lauron

David, Laurel (my 1st cousin), Danielle & Ashley King

The missionary table is a little tradition.  We set out cards and coloring pages and everyone can send a little family love their way.  This year our missionaries are: Brinley, CJ King and Benjamin Vore.  We also had a box for Dylan Hill who is serving in the Marines.  (This is Kerry's girlfriend's son.  He is great.  Really friendly and cute with kids of all ages.)

Kerry & Gram hanging out.

Grandpa sending some letter love.

David Martin (Ang's brother) keeping things real!

Grandpa and Danielle (his great niece)

Selfie time....Me, Aub & Gramp

Quetta 

The teens disappeared inside the house for an hour or two and then showed up for round two of food and some dessert.  Tan, Holden, La & Aub

David & Kate

Hold and Aub

Brian and I stopped by the Birds on the way home.  We missed them.  They didn't come because Adam was exposed at work a couple of days before.  The kids wouldn't give us the time of day because it was their screen time opportunity. (Ipads and TV).  I felt badly because Brit had been napping.  However, it was so great to visit with Adam and Brit and hear about their Thanksgiving day.  She also fed us pie and sent us home with leftovers.  (When you gather in a big group leftovers can be scarce. The Birds had a full turkey and ham plus all of the fixings with just the six of them.  They were awesome to send us w/ a dish of leftovers and to make us feel like we were doing them the favor!) 

Covid pie!  Brit always brings the pies and so we didn't have any at Thanksgiving this year.  Well, we had two store bought ones, and Quetta's delicious banana pudding.  Anyway, Bri and I enjoyed some of Brit's divine chocolate and lemon pie.  So yummy.

And now back to Brinley.  It really was fun how were able to start and end our Thanksgiving with her.  We did the zoom meeting in the morning, and she was able to call that evening.  We heard all about her amazing time with Kris and Eric Gwilliam!!!  It was such a blessing and made my momma heart so happy.

The mission basically got shut down this week due to the rise of Covid the past couple of weeks.  They aren't allowed to eat in members' homes or hang out with other missionaries on p-day or throughout the week.  Brinley was feeling sad about spending the entire day stuck in their apartment.  I'm sure Sister Maycock was feeling the same way as well.  

Anyway...Bryn reached out to Sister Nygaard and asked if they could go to her Aunt and Uncle's house on Thanksgiving.  And she said Yes!!  I am just floored that they were given permission.  LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the Nygaards for that.  

I called Kris on Wednesday night to see if they were even in town.  They were.  She was so cute and sweet about having Bryn and comp come.  This is family.  I am getting teary as I write.  I love that Brinley felt comfortable even thinking about going there.  I love that it didn't feel awkward for me to make the phone call the night before the big day.  We both knew Kris and Eric would welcome them with open arms.  LOVE them for their graciousness and love.

The "sisters" could go but had to wear their masks the whole time...except when eating six feet away.  (Crazy, crazy Covid...am I really having to write this?)  Kris and Eric set up this cute little table for them.

Here they are with the fam.  Max, Sister Gwilliam (aka Bryn), Sister Maycock, Jack, Henry, Kris and Eric.  (And another cool aside.  They found out Sister Maycock's dad and Eric served in the same mission under the same president.)

Their daughter, our niece, Macy is serving in Indiana.  I wish she was serving right here in the big O.  We would have loved to have her over for Thanksgiving.  I hope she was well taken care of this year too.

And here is Kris's sweet Instagram post which sums up many of my feelings as well.  Happy 2020 Thanksgiving.