We started our Thanksgiving holiday with a lunch at Gwen's school. Unfortunately, their teacher was sick the whole week and missed the holiday party. Parents brought a smorgasbord of yummy foods. Gwen helped me make my mom's corn pudding. We played Christmas tunes and enjoyed the first of three Thanksgiving feasts.
Gwen and some of her friends
Matt and Gwen sharing carrots
Lest I forget, Gwen's teacher is a HUGE Elvis fan. I know some of you (Katie Murray) will be very excited about this. Well, Gwen is now familiar with Elvis' "Blue Christmas". Matt made us a Christmas mix to listen to on the way to school. Of course, Elvis was included.
The second feast was a joint celebration between congregation members at our church and the Methodist church down the street. There were so many tables of salad, vegetables, side dishes, etc. When it was our turn to choose food, Gwen held her plate and told me what she wanted to devour. Yes, I said devour. She ate most of her dinner (turkey, fruit, corn) then scarfed a chocolate cupcake.
Gwen decided to wear her Indian hat that she made at school. We dubbed her "Little Leaning Leaf".
On Wednesday, we ventured to Marlow, OK to visit the Arnold family. Jason graduated this past spring from Southwestern Seminary and was hired to work at a church in Marlow. Their son, Nolan, and Gwen were best buddies. We spent the first hour of our trip in bumper-to-bumper traffic. No fun. Once we got on I-81, we enjoyed a very nice, scenic drive through small towns. We saw cactus growing in little bunches and cattle and horses roaming open fields. The landscape was refreshing and just beautiful.
Once we got settled into our hotel room, I contacted Kim, Jason's wife. We decided to eat dinner at one of my favorite restaurants, Golden Corral. You can't go wrong with a buffet! It was so good seeing the Arnold family and Jason's mom who was visiting from the Dallas area. It didn't take long for the kids to get reacquainted. Gwen sat by Nolan and did as Nolan did. He ate pizza. She ate pizza. He played with his cars. She played with his cars. He giggled. She giggled. After dinner, we went to the Arnold's home so the kids could play and be rambunctious.
On Thanksgiving day, the kids continued to have fun. Gwen loved playing with Nolan's scooter when he lived at his last home. Well, some things never change.
I think driving lessons are in her future!
Thanksgiving lunch was delicious: turkey, sweet potato casserole, potatoes au gratin, fruit compote, green bean casserole, stuffing, ambrosia, etc. After lunch, Kim's dad took the kids outside to let them play in the back yard.
Later in the day, Kim took us to the local park. She said that people in the community pitched in and built this play area for kids.
Doesn't it look like they're going on a date? Too cute!
Joseph and Mary... later, they were superheroes
Ultimately, our visit had to end. Gwen requested to spend the night with Nolan. When we told her "no", she became sad. On the way to the hotel, she said she missed Nolan. In fact, she said that several times. We tried to explain that mommy and daddy missed their friends, too. We were so very blessed to share time with them and hope to see them again.
Hope you each of you had a blessed Thanksgiving!
Dana
