thanksgiving 2014

Thanksgiving this year was spent up in Hau'ula at my sister Elika's house.  It was pretty chaotic cramming so many people into one house, but since Elika has a nice yard outside, we took advantage of the added space and relegated many of the little ones outdoors.

It's pretty much a party whenever we all get tougher, no matter the occasion. This is something I am so very grateful for.  With so many cousins to play with, my kids are so lucky they have already-made friends at every holiday gathering.

See?  Eating outside on the lawn.  The kids don't mind, though.  They alternated between eating and running around and wrestling and football.  Everything Thanksgiving should be about, right?

Oh, but we can't forget about the food.  Which was all very delicious. 

 I promise my salad was on the "other" plate.  

Eating on top of their bike shed.  I'm sure there is some danger to having them sit up so high...but they were thankfully safe and ate all their food like good kids should.

Some kids had to improvise a little on their entertainments.  Since Elika's ride-on toys were being used by others, he decided to ride this toy police bus.  

So sad...someone buy this kid a REAL ride-on toy!!

It's always sad when one of the kids get sick...even more sad when it's on a holiday or when we are playing with cousins.  Jolee had a relapse of her fever from 2 days ago and was out like this for most of the evening.  Poor thing, didn't even get to eat her favorite mashed potatoes and gravy. 

Mitch had to fly in the morning and afternoon, but managed to drive up to meet us after he finished work.  It was a long drive for him, but we were thankful that he was able to spend at least some time with us on this special day.  

I have so much to be thankful for, that the list could go on and on.  But let me just say that I am thankful for my Heavenly Father. He's given me and my family SO much joy and progress this year.  I'm also thankful for my family.  It's not so common for families and extended families to get along so well, but we do!  We love each other and the little cousins are the best of friends.

Happy Thanksgiving to our friends and family, both near and far!