Thanksgiving 2018

We had most all of our family here for Thanksgiving this year.  The exceptions were Deedra who is completing her mission in Indiana and will be home on December 19th, and Nathan and his bride Lindsey who are with her family.

We put a turkey in the smoker around 6:00 pm Wednesday evening.  This is a new thing for us.  We often have bought smoked turkey before, but this is the first time we have smoked our own.

Joel and his family arrived around 8:00 pm, reporting that traffic was horrible!  We were watching a BYU basketball game and he was an hour late.  Jillyn and family arrived a couple of hours later, also victims of the traffic.  The timer popped so we got the turkey out of the smoker around 10:00 pm.  I used Mesquite wood chips because that was all I have.  If I do it again I think I will get some apple chips.  The mesquite smells a little too harsh for turkey, but it tastes fine.  The juices spilled onto the hot metal and created some more smoke which also affected the flavor some I think.

Thursday morning we made preparations for the big feast.  Another larger turkey was stuffed and put in the oven.  Darin, Clay and families arrived and we ate around 1:30 pm.  Everything was good.  Lori and Tiffany brought pies, Jillyn made rolls and Suzanne brought a good fruit salad.  Tiffany's mother joined us as she is all alone living in Hurricane.

Just before turkey.  Tiffany's mom Karen took photo.

After eating we all took a turn saying what we are thankful for, and we have so much!

Friday was kind of a casual day.   Clay, Ashlyn, Joel and Desiree got up early and went to Zion and hiked Angel's Landing. Suzanne and kids went Black Friday shopping, Jillyn and family went to a movie, some played games. and we had the annual turkey (clay pigeon) shoot.  I couldn't shoot because of my surgery, but it was fun watching the others, and taking photos.

Clay loading the thrower

Lori taking aim

Ashlyn popping a bird!

Darin and Joel figuring it out

Ashlyn loves to shoot

I left before it was finished so I could get ready for my Temple shift.  Later most of the grand kids and a few parents came to the temple and did baptisms for the dead.  It was fun to have them there.

Saturday  we had a talent show.  Most of the grand kids participated.  Some played the piano, some sang, Sydnee did a magic trick which amazed is all 😉.  Jillyn, Mckenna and Ella sang accompanied by Elma Lynne on the piano and Camille on the flute.  Camille is getting really good.  Brevin played the ukulele while Darin and Paxton sang.  Paxton has a good voice.  The adults played a few rounds of Scum while the children played in the basement, then starting at 4:00 pm some watched BYU basketball and football games while some of the women went to a movie.  Jillyn and family left to be home for Sunday responsibilities.

Sunday we got up and went to Sacrament meeting and then everyone changed clothes and headed home.  It was a great holiday and great to have our family around us.  It may be a while before we are able to have them all here again.