Sunday, November 30, 2008

"Hey thar, Pilgrim."
(John Wayne)


Thanksgiving Dress-up Day 2008 becomes a little piece of history as we bid good-bye to a crisp, sunny day of fine food, family and rustic tradition.

they take after their mother-- who can blame them?
bows, arrows, raw meat....

candlelit cottage magic

I've learned it's so simple to add meaning to an occasion, if you want to. Once everyone was seated at the table with their food, we sang a Thanksgiving hymn then took turns reading great quotes (on the back of our placecards) by past presidents and patriots. This really stirred me and brought depth to the holiday. Following that, we each went around and spoke briefly about something we were grateful for this year. I talked about all of my relationships since it was on my mind from my recent post. It was unifying, meaningful and a little emotional, but that's how I want it to feel on a day like Thanksgiving.

Here's my quote:

You and I have a rendezvous with destiny. We will preserve for our children, the last hope of men on earth, or we will sentence them to take the first step into a thousand years of darkness. If we fail, at least let our children and our children's children say of us we justified our brief moment here. We did all that could be done. -Ronald Reagan (love him)

anybody know this guy?


shiny, happy people

cross-culture chicks

that's my girl

Sibs (whose your daddy?)

women who hunt

making memories

I don't think anything cracked me up more than looking over and seeing Jill completely FLAT on the horse, bouncing around that barrel--hanging on for all she's worth! She looked just like Nellie Olsen on "Little House" when she was trying to beat Laura in the race. The other thing that tickled me is that she's being lead by John?! Why is that SO funny to me? You probably had to be there.


The end.




14 comments:

VEGAS VIC said...

Again tonight I waited long enough to see the blog change. That is the good thing about a 3 hour difference.
What a fabulous Thanksgiving you guys had. I just love the pictures. I liked that you all seemed even more into it this year than last, and that was going some.
Natalie and Mary did a great job of getting things ready. It just looks so good and makes ones realize that Thanksgiving could have so much more meaing to us if we would put the effort into it.
Glad you all had a great time and that you took time to take the pictures.

Love,
MOM

Mitch said...

I'm freakin jealous you guys did all that. That's a huge reason why i want to live out there. HUGE HUGE HUGE!! Wait for me!! Don't end it yet!!

Good pics. You looked like a natural with the bow.

jill said...

Great post! I agree I haven't laughed that hard in a long time! Too bad you didn't have video of my trying to get on the darn beast of burden. That was an incredible day once again. The games were so much fun! Last year I was stuck in the car watching everyone have a great time with the competitions, this year was very different, it was great to get in on the action. Natalie is absolutely amazing!!! She and Mary are truly gifted.

Suzanne said...

One day, I am going to grow up and be just like that!! Just you wait! What an awesome Thanksgiving and the table was magnificent. I love how you are all willing to dress up. Where do you get all the costumes? I think the hymn is a great idea and the quotes are fantastic. Note to self, try and do quotes next year. I adore watching your family do this! How awesome! -Suzanne

Up in Bubbles said...

Looks like you also got some great pics. I like how you put your quote in their, I just might have to add mine. That really was such an awesome day. I noticed you didn't mention you got third in the talent show.

JENNIFRO said...

Yeah...3rd. I'm STILL shocked you didn't get 1st, considering the "man crush" Eric and Jamie have on John!

Jayne Layne said...

What great pictures. Really looked so fun, and your costumes were great! I actually really wish I could have seen Jill on the that horse in person, I can only imagine by the looks of the picture how funny it really was. Who got first place in the talent show? I thought John and Kelley did.

Chris said...

Thank you for the post. It was such a fun day and did I mention that I won the archery contest....

Ann Marie said...

Everything looks perfect!
Love all of the pictures..
ESpecially the Women hunting, and Jill on the horse.. So fun!

Ann Marie said...

Also, thanks for all of your sweet comments on my blog lately.
Very appreciated. :)

alexis said...

oh my gosh! that is the cutest thing ever! i love that the guys dress up too. what good sports! you always do the most fab things!

Lauralee said...

that is seriously amazing.. all the pictures look like they are from a magazine.. what a great time, and incredible memories you are making.. those costumes are awesome!

Anonymous said...

I LOVE all those pictures!! it looks like a much more fun thanksgiving than anything I've been part of :D

Anonymous said...

the last anonymous comment was me... sorry :)

~Jane Parise~