Thanksgiving at Warren and Darlene's house this year!
What a wonderful gift it was to be together
For the four youngest boys in the Dowdle family, Thanksgivings are usually spent together. The cousins look forward to it each year and when it's over they're somber and looking forward to the next year. The women work hard before the trip, before the meal, after the meal and after the trip .... but we enjoy it too and have grown to truly love and appreciate each other.
While Thanksgiving dinner was being prepared, the husbands and kids all went to the church to play basketball (to get our of our hair). It didn't take long before I was called to emergency room. Joey had crashed so hard into a door that he split his head and received five staples. Can you see them? Now the holiday could officially BEGIN!
The family came home to well set tables and a buffet full of one of the most amazing Thanksgiving dinners I have ever tasted. Every bite was AMAZING. I have married into a very talented family ... wait, the women make the food. I guess they married into very talented families. Yes, the feels more accurate.
Jordan was another casualty of too much activity. Just tired I think.
When the men got home they pitched in with all the "manly"work. ... and the food was ready. ... and the prayer was offered.
Lance and Tammy
Ryan on the phone. What a cutie.
The adult table ... well set and in a private dinning room. That's how it should be!
Way more video games than home ever allows. But we're on vacation! Right?
Maria and Davis
Maddy
Ryan, Autumn, and Mom (me)
Up close and blurry ... with a little Cody added
These four little cousins look forward to seeing each other each year. Emily, Cody, Hallie, and Sadie
It was just "yesterday" that Autumn and Kenzie were the little kids begging to get together. They still look forward to it. They just "beg" in more sophisticated ways.
Look at my rugged Thompson boys and their wonderful Step-Dad. I am so grateful for the influence of this good man in my children's lives!
Big sister - Little sister. Mckenzie and Maddy
Eric loves to live vicariously through Jordan, a man who knows good food!
Kyle and Ryan ... hungry
Happy Jenson
It didn't take Autumn and Joey long. Good food is synonymous with Dowdle vacations.
Ryan serving a turkey helped carve
Hallie and Emily
Sadie and Cody
A very pretty Amber
Left and around the table ... Stephen, Jordan, Tyler, Ryan, Joey, Kenz, Autumn, and Maddy
Left and around the table - Amber, Jenson, Kyle, Wilson, Davis
Don't forget Shawn! He seems to come late to the table more often then not. It just doesn't make sense. He's an eating machine!
And now the adults, in their lovely dining get-away. Left and around the table... Tammy (front with a rasp. colored sweater), Lance, Darlene, Warren, Deb, Eric, Maria, Ryan
Ryan's tickles are the best!
They just couldn't get enough of Ryan or Shawn. It was so cute to watch them.
Look at that little girl in the middle of the room? That's Audrey ... a tiny peanut of a person who always has something in her mouth ... but has never had a cold. Explain that.
Chicken's funnest on very tall boys
Sadie's sure she's won
The cousins ... yes, all in one house. We're missing a few ... Cody and hmmmm, one other.
The next morning, the Dads and teens (those that got their recommends) went to the temple to do baptisms for the dead. It was a great experience and we're so proud of them choosing to serve others. It's a great way to show gratitude.
And now for the Dowdle puzzle contest ...
After the tournament, Ryan Dowdle, Ryan Thompson and Tyler Dowdle were the winners. They smoked everyone.
And time to jump on Shawn again!
He didn't really mind. He loved these little girls. He'll make a great Dad one day.
The teens watched the kids while the adults went to ....
It's true. We went to dinner. Ugh. We had Italian food the day after Thanksgiving. It was good but I would have WAY preferred leftovers. So much better!
Lance and Ryan
Okay, here we go again ... Left and around the table... Ryan D. Paul Jones (Paul and Trisha-Gaye came by for a visit), Lance, Ryan T., David Jones and his wife and baby (came with their parents), Darlene, Warren, Eric, Deb, Tammy, Trisha-Gaye and Maria.
That evening Ryan, Stephen and the kids got bundled up and made a snow man. It was so cute! It also started a full on project of snow men ... as you'll see.
The official pose ...
Ryan and Emily ... Buds
Death of a snowman. Yes, after all the cuteness, a battle ensued from the guys to see who could knock it's head off. And that brought everyone else outside... more later.
We had a great idea. We took everyone to Walmart and we each spent around five dollars on a white elephant. We came home and tons of fun doing the white elephant game. In the end most were happy. The four little kids were the happiest as we made sure they got present tailored to them.
The four moms ... cooks, caretakers, cleaners, counselors ... chocolate lovers!
These little cousins played together non-stop. They were so darling!
The story behind the story ... Darlene had a bad head cold the whole weekend. She was so gracious and accommodating. On the last day she crashed in bed and we tip-toed out the door. Blessings for Darlene!
Back to the snowman fun.... Ryan and Audrey
Darlene and Warren
Eric and Deb
Darlene and WW
Audrey perched on the snowman's head
Three snowmen total. The first was tiny. The second was perfect and made a great photo-op. The third was a bit of a mutant but the kids had the most fun with it. Joey's attempting to climb the monster....
Almost there...
And .... there goes the head. No luck.
Ryan pulled out the rock climbing skills... and was triumphant!
I love this last picture because as Joey is taking the picture his breath swirled around the camera. The fog you see is his breath. It just looks cool.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!
We are so grateful for family and the many blessings and comforts of life. We give all thanks and glory to God and his tender mercies.
