Finishing Fall. . .

Men in the kitchen. . . now that's what I'm talking about! (Paul, Bates, and Curtis cook up some grub!) I absolutely love that about my hubby's family. . . I also love the traditional turkey, mashed potatoes, and sweet potatoes that this white girl brings, but I also very much enjoy the range of delicacies. Pancit, ox-tail, dungeness crab. . .not quite the kind of Thanksgiving dinner I grew up with, but perhaps resembling the original one a bit more!
It's hard to explain an event like this. . .you've either lived it or you haven't. Words just don't do justice in describing a large Filipino family gathering for the holidays. My accolades to Bates and Dee (Paul's brother and sister-in-love) who hosted this years special Turkey Day. It takes special people to host 32 house guests. . . this number is actually down due to some of the grandkids being away at school, married, etc.

Above, Naomi enjoys our favorite breakfast, Arrozcaldo, with Lolo. He makes incredible arrozcaldo.
Late night hours were filled with karaoke. And more karaoke. And lots of laughter. We also enjoy laughing and nominating one another for the annual "Turkey Award." It goes for whomever has done the dumbest thing that year. There have been some real winners!
There were lots of cousins around and Bekah enjoys a board game with her "big" cousins. The older kids are so sweet and love our little ones. Our Bekah, Hannah, Naomi, and Jael are the "babies."
Sarah and Bekah take a shot at the Wii. Very fun. Unfortunately I was sore the next day after bowling. . .pitiful.
Joshua and Jonathan enjoy watching cousin Dean on the the laptop.
Baby Jael always had a nice comfy place to sleep! Lolo and Lola don't need an excuse to catch some zzz's. They had just arrived from the Philippines on Wednesday and were adjusting to the the time change. Not bad for a couple in their 80's.
Hannah and Naomi tucker out on Auntie Marian who doesn't seem to mind since her three boys have gotten big! (She always did want a little girl.)
Cousin Mariah, now 12, enjoyed cuddling up with sweet baby Jael.
Jonathan and Bekah find a vacant corner and collapse! People literally sleep everywhere and anywhere. . .
Back home that weekend we played our annual game of Thanksgiving Charades. It has become a fun tradition and we love to tease Sarah because she inevitably draws the "cranberry" card!
Can you tell what I am? Of course, a cornucopia! Jael seems a bit concerned.
Paul "helps" Hannah act out her part. . .

We enjoyed a full and blessed Thanksgiving, surrounded by friends and family. God has showered us with abundance and we give Him thanks.

Thanksgiving Lapbooks

Back in November (the 3rd, I believe) Kendra posted a blog entry on preschoolersandpeace
that shared an idea called Lapbooking. The idea sounded like fun, so we gave it a try over Thanksgiving. It was a fun way of documenting what we were learning and the kiddos are pretty proud of their end results. I recommend it!

Thanksgiving. . .

"Now, therfore, I, Abrahan Lincoln, President of the United States, do hereby appoint and set apart the last Thursday in November next as a day which I desire to be observed by all my fellow-citizens, wherever they may be then, as a day of Thanksgiving and praise to Almighty God, the beneficent Creator and Ruler of the Universe. And I do further recommend to my fellow-citizens aforesaid, that on that occasion they do reverently humble themselves in the dust, and from thence offer up penitent and fervent prayers and supplications to the great Disposer of events for a return of the inestimable blessings of peace, union, and harmony throughout the land which it has pleased Him to assign as a dwelling-place for ourselves and for our posterity throughout all generations."

Thankful . . .

"We should take all occasions to tell one another of the great things which God has done for our souls, the spiritual blessings with which He has blessed us." Matthew Henry

Another mom shared this idea of a "Thankful Tree" during the month of November. It has been an insightful and fun reminder each day of all God's blessings. A good opportunity to practice tracing, cutting and writing, too!
Last batch of strawberry-pineapple jam. . .whew. I think we put up over 30 jars. I can't believe we are still in the 80's here and able to get fresh strawberries. Gotta love it!
Working on a Thanksgiving pilgrim diarama.