Thanksgiving and Surprises!

This year was really nice.  We were able to have all of my siblings at Thanksgiving this year!  Plus we had the newest additions with us.  Emily's new husband Jared and Blaine's finance Sani.  And it has been years since us eight siblings were all together with my parents too.  Needless to say it was a full house.  Two parents, 8 siblings, 7 significant others, and 12 grandkids.  I think with my mom being home after being gone for two years helped.  That and Blaine's wedding on the 29th.  Alan came from Texas and Melissa and Ben came from Seattle.  It was nice to see everyone.  

We also got to surprise my eldest brother Alan with a surprise birthday party of sorts.  We all submitted clues about Alan for a Crossword Puzzle and we did it all together.  I didn't get any pictures of that, but it was really fun.  My brother Alan has done some interesting things in his life.  I even got to learn a few new things about him that I didn't know.  To me it was pretty cool.  His birthday is actually on the 7th of December, but he was home now, so...  He turns 40 on the 7th, and we hope to be able to continue the tradition with each sibling as they turn 40.  

Thanksgiving was yummy!  There was lots of great food, family, fun and laughing.  It was a good time!  The big guys even got to go our shooting.  I think that was fun for them.  Dave was excited to shoot a muzzle loader.  Thank you, Jared! 

Here's a few pictures of the big table the teenager table and the little "guys" table.  

Mom explaining "how to get your food in the proper order".  Yes, there is a correct flow.

Mom still explaining, she shows us how to walk soon after this.

Here's one side of the table with our food.

Other side of table with food.

Ian, Maddy and Shayla at the "teen" table.

Kara, Savannah, Kamille and Mallory at the "teen" table.

Quinten, Connor and Rowan at the little "guys" table.

Alan sucking his helium from his birthday balloons.