This year we decided to drive to Phoenix, Arizona to join Spencer's family for Thanksgiving. It was a lot of fun. Grandpa has a pool (unheated) that was the immediate interest of the boys. It didn't last too long. Ethan jumped in first and was on his way out before he actually got in. Sam (Ethan's 9 year old uncle) jumped in but was so hesitant and knew how cold it would be that his head never even went under! It was amazing.
After they all tested the freezing waters, Spen wanted to get the crowd involved so he ran jumping in the pool around all of the edges making sure to get all of the spectators wet. It was funny.
Ezra was dying to swim so Spen took him on a little ride. It didn't last long!
Grandpa's house is great for the kids. It was so warm and nice that they all spent the entire weekend outside. The tractor rides were a hit too.
All the kids who wanted a turn got to try driving the tractor. Ezra was not going to let that chance pass him up!
Ethan had his Grandpa help him drive.
Even Mase got to have a chance to ride in the back. He was very happy the whole trip. I was thrilled that he got comfortable so quickly.
When it came time to get the turkey out of the fridge they realized that it wasn't quite defrosted. We needed a place to soak it in cold water for a few hours. Where better than the swimming pool, right?! They bagged it up and tossed it in the pool. It floated around all evening and most of the night. It was pretty hilarious. A Thanksgiving first for me!
Another Thanksgiving first was having it warm enough outside to actually eat Thanksgiving dinner together outside. It was a lot of fun.
Ezra and Ellie had their own little table. Ezra is pretty much a trouble maker and Ellie was keeping her eye on him.
Another first that we had this year was both a turkey and a spiral ham. I've never had both for Thanksgiving. It was really delicious. Spencer has such a great family and they are all so much fun. We were so happy that they all got together close enough that we could join them.
Dinner on a ping pong table was interesting. We got the side that was a bit slanted so we had to be careful how we positioned our plates with the gravy!
Victoria had her first ever American Thanksgiving. I was pretty impressed by her this holiday. We went around the huge table of family all telling what we were thankful for this year and rather than refusing to participate she said she was grateful to be in America with her family. It was very sweet.
Ethan was grateful for his family and that we could all be together too. It really was a fun year.
Spen with his parents. Aww.
Grandpa has several citrus trees on his property. Ezra exploited that and his aunt Kate to harvest and peel them for him. He was in heaven. This was him finishing his 5th orange in one sitting. And he wanted more!
We got to play games with everyone too. That was a lot of fun. We usually end up playing games around a table when we are with Spen's family.
One night Mason just wouldn't settle down and was very agitated. I was kind of worried about him and held him hoping that would help. It didn't. Ethan was still awake and asked if he could lay with him for a little while and see if he could help. Of course that would help. Mason and Ethan are kindred spirits. They are the two people in the world who know each other best. Mason was asleep in minutes and so was Ethan. We left him there on the couch with Ethan all night. It was his best night's sleep of the whole trip.
Another first for me was playing horseshoes. I stink at it. Spen and I played his parents. Spen and Larry were actually pretty good at it, but Susan and I were hopeless. Spen and I lost, but we were ahead there for a while! It was really a great trip. I'm glad we made it.
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