Interfaith Thanksgiving Service

I think my hometown has a wonderful tradition, their yearly interfaith Thanksgiving service.

Sawyer and his grandmother arriving in style!

There were clerical representatives from SO many churches, including a priest, a rabbi, an imam...of course Dad was there looking so spiffy and ever important as our representative. How fun would it be to go with him on his interfaith field trips?

Hunter was especially intrigued at the different contributions each religious leader made.

For all the churches that were represented, the attendance was so sparse!

This year there were special visitors...



Seven monks from the Gaden Jangtse monastery in South Central India, sponsored by a local church for a week long visit.

Their chanting is such a different expression of faith.

They were gracious enough to allow photos with some of the boys.

One small step for these leaders, one giant leap of global harmony and understanding for us.

50th Wedding Anniversary Celebration

Much arranging, organizing, and then decorating was done in preparation for the big event, none of which I was a part!

I pulled into town an hour before the kick-off, and tried to shake off the "I've been sitting in the car for eight hours!"

The family pulled together in a wonderful way, and "got'er done."

Aaron was THE event planner.

Well done, brother!

That's a lot of salad!

The boys working with the lights on a really tall ladder!

The pictures hung around the room captured the years in a wonderful way!

This became a popular place to stop, as Dad's love letter is amazing.

An amazing cake! Everything was edible, and very yummy!

All the grandchildren were greeters and waiters extraordinaire!

Miller serving one of those salads...

Awesome appetizers...

Reuniting with cousin Kim...

The brothers-in-law hanging out with the princess.

The waitstaff, after having cleaned and changed, and after having been trained, and fed, are just waiting to work!

The doors we're all waiting behind!

Surprise! The golden couple have arrived, thinking they were speaking.

My parents are amazing!

As golden as the years they've endured, and as precious as gold.

Porter and Hannah storming the dance floor!

Porter's two-thumbs up for the catered chicken and pasta.

The End.

Thanksgiving Trip

Although the surprise anniversary celebration was the icing on the cake, for our trip east, the chance to spend Thanksgiving with my family was a bonus!

We were graciously hosted by Ann and Dave Bach, and had first class accommodations!

Breyer thoroughly enjoyed "the cage!"

But it's all about the food this weekend.

And there was So much of it! 

Grampy tried to burn off a few extra calories on the trampoline...

The cousins!

Uncles Aaron and Roger ;-)

We made a few excursions in town, including Bunker Hill Monument...

...and the Boston Temple!

What a good looking group!