November 21-25, 2023: Thanksgiving week and Sam's family visit

Tuesday, November 21st: Sam's family drove from San Antonio to Albuquerque and arrived around 5:30pm. I was shopping at Costco and brought hot dogs and soda home for dinner. The kids loved it and didn't waste anything. They were happy to be out of the van and enjoyed playing with many of the toys in our toy closet.

We had a little family Christmas together our first night. We sang Christmas songs; the kids acted out the Nativity story with Sam (as the donkey); and their family opened their Christmas gifts from us. It was really fun, and our grandchildren were happy with their gifts (thank you Kiley for their wish lists). After the kids were in bed, we played Canasta and had chef salads around 10:30pm.

Wednesday, November 22nd: The following day, Sam and Kiley visited their best friends, Cameron and Crystal Boyack. Afterwards, they visited Kiley's parents and went out to dinner with them. We visited my mom that evening, and Sam's family joined us for Chinese take-out. They made sure to eat light so that they could eat another dinner with us! My mom was so happy to see Sam and his family.

Grandma on a bad hair day, and Noah asleep

Joseph pretending to pick his nose

Thursday, November 23rd: We had a wonderful Thanksgiving day meal with the Dunlap's! I believe this was the first time we've ever had Thanksgiving just with them. Sam's family went to Kiley's parent's house for Thanksgiving where all her siblings joined them; and Jacob's family went to Shauna's aunt and uncle's house for Thanksgiving with her mom and dad's side of the family.

At the Dunlap's, we had a yummy potluck and games night. Our yummy feast included smoked tri-tip, corn casserole, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet potato casserole, stuffing, fresh cranberry sauce, dinner rolls, pumpkin pie, and chocolate silk pie! We played Canasta and then Murder in the Dark with the kids--that was crazy fun.

Friday, November 24th: "Steaks Giving" meal with all our kids and grandkids (minus Jared's family) was a lot of fun. We had grilled ribeye steaks, chicken apple brats, ham, white mac & cheese, BBQ meatballs, mini corn dogs, an Italian pasta salad (thank you Shauna!), broccoli salad, frog eye fruit salad, dinner rolls, and a raspberry pretzel dessert (thank you Jess!). Sam's family drove down from San Antonio on Tuesday and stayed till Saturday. We used all the bedrooms in our house! We really enjoyed having their family with us, but it was too short of a visit.

We went to North Star Elementary School's grassy field and played a nutty game of Dodge Ball. Wish I were in better shape! I kept getting hit, and I was never able to hit anyone. It felt great to be outside though! And everyone had at least a little fun--haha!