Thanksgiving 2012

Grandpa Foster, Grandpa Fred, Nana, Marie, Frederick, Margaret, Thomas (front)

Debbie had this great idea, to set the tractor up in the front yard for family pictures. The one of the kids and grandparents turned out great. The one of the six of us turned out good too.

Debbie (Tom's cousin) and Patrick have such a beautiful home. . .and put a memorable Thanksgiving together each year :) Not only were the Tennessee cousins there, but also the New York cousins. . .and we got a picture of all of them too!!

Four of these kiddos are in 4th grade. . .a fifth grader, 6th grader, 8th grader, and HS freshman. There will be a lot of college graduations, weddings, and baby showers in a decade or so with this Bell Bunch.

I *love* this picture of Aunt Barbara. . .so happy in the kitchen. This day was a bittersweet day, being the first Thanksgiving not shared with her husband, Uncle Earl. He has been missed since his passing in the spring. Seeing his son there from New York (who, to me, looks just like him) made his memory very alive on this day. His spirit was alive.

These were our appetizer contributions. . . Marie's salsa, meatballs, and chippy beef spread. I bought all the fall dishes at Wal-Mart Wednesday for about $1/each -- yea! The big leaf bowl was $5 and I couldn't resist. It's fun to have pretty serving dishes.

Turkey #1, roasted


Turkey #2, fried

Turkey #3, smoked

Yep, that's right. Three turkeys. Patrick's pride each year. And here the men are carving them. . .

Yes, even my dad "worked" for his supper :)

Debbie's beautifully (as always) set tables:


The kids' table -- it was on the screened-in porch -- a perfect day for that!!!


With all Debbie's regular details :)

My place at the adult table

Usually we all sit together at one table but this was nice too. . .the kids went through the "line" first and some were probably already done but the time the last of the adults sat down. . .and that was really o.k. too. It was a relaxed, filling meal. How could it not be with 3 turkeys?!?

Time to eat!!!


I love this guy!


This girl too :)

And just to document. . .she *never* takes this sweatshirt off!

I even sneaked a picture of these two. . .later in the evening they did get airsoft stuff out so it wasn't *all* "sitting around"

Happy, full, thankful tables.


The clean-up crew (yes, Thomas is back there doing his job too)

Naptime before dessert(s). . .I mean, who really only eats just one on TG?

Red velvet cheesecake (Cheesecake factory), Nancy's apple pie, Pumpkin pie, and a white chocolate cranberry cheesecake Patrick made. The TWO peanutbutter pies we brought were 75% gone before the adults started serving themselves -- ha!

Oh! Here's picture of the peanutbutter pie. . .looks like they've made it to the second one already. . .

And just a few other pictures of the day. . .time to wrap this up. . .the holiday weekend is OVER and it's time to think about going back home (Fred & Nancy), work (Tom & I), and school (the kids). I'm thankful to have had the time to record these memories this year.