Thanksgiving breakfast, dinner and Christmas lunch

Thanksgiving morning started pretty early for us. We were having our friends over for a breakfast of sausage gravy and biscuits, quiche, pumpkin scones, cinnamon rolls, fruit salad, hot choc. and tea. Tom's chef hat was essential for him to be able to work properly--or so he said! He helped me make the scones the night before then tended the sausage for me in the morning. Yes, I cooked in my robe! Not a flattering pic, to say the very least!! When I get up at 4:30 to cook, well--I stay in my robe!
Everything was enjoyed and the company was good. It's so very refreshing to meet safe, honest people who are genuine and also love God truely. These kids have really taken to Mr. Downer! He has so many fascinating stories to tell them and they seem to like them all. He and most of the boys did a major wood-splitting job a few weeks ago and they had such a great time.
There were 15 of us but we all fit very nicely into the new place.











Every year my family gets together and shares a potluck meal for Thanksgiving and Christmas. I believe if we were all there, there would be about 113. We don't seem to go a year without adding 1 or 2 -maybe more- to the family. So far, there are 3 new babies expected next year--one will be the first great-greeat for my folks! Dad stopped by on his way home from a hosp. stay!! that accounts for his worn look. The little guy was our littlest helper!






These are some pics from the lunch/exchange we have for the married and over 18 girls. It started out just mom and us girls but has grown quite a bit. It's always a lot of fun but, this year was very good!











Becky and her girls




Linda and her girls and 1 DIL




Mom and all us girls. Next we added one sis-in-law, Kollette



Mom, sister Gloria and daughter


Mom, sistr Christine and her girls and g-baby


After the party and Mom and my sister Mary



Tara just showing her real self!