THE GORDONS GIVE THANKS

This is the year for Thanksgiving with the Gordons. We went up to the Barn and had a good time with all the cousins. 

The kids eating their yummy turkey!

This year we got a new addition to the family right before the day! He is the cutest baby ever! 

Elder D and his new cousin.

Princess P takes her turn holding her new cousin, W.

C Man gets a man bun! Yuck!

Watching movies instead of shooting guns.

Trying to keep warm by the fire. It was chilly!

Trap shooting on Thanksgiving- a Gordon Family Traditition! (D on the right).

THANKSGIVING

It was my turn to host Thanksgiving this year for my family and I knew that there was no way that we would fit in our home, so I reserved the church building that Big C's YSA ward attends. It worked out perfect! Plenty of room and it was so fun to see everyone!

Cousins- J, Princess P and Miss B.

Cousins- M, Little C, M2 and M3.

The food line. YUM! 

BIL, Big C and nephew RM-A.

One of the kids' tables. Great memories!

I sure love my family!

THE GORDONS GIVE THANKS

We had a great Thanksgiving! The day was beautiful and sunny. We took advantage of it and played games outside before dinner.

A and Uncle C in a grueling game of bean bag toss.

What a pretty little valley we live in. We have a great view of it at my in-law's barn too. We are blessed.

Big C and Grandpa G toss some horseshoes.

Sister A, Me and Sister J soaking up some rays.

Miss B and Little C up in the loft at the barn after dinner.

G and Princess P looking at the Black Friday ads. They'll take after their mommas and become fabulous shoppers.

Grandma and Grandpa G wash dishes after the feast.

CHALKBOARD ART & CRAFTINESS

Chalkboard art is so trendy right now and I love it! I have always been obsessed with lettering and fonts and some of the chalkboard art I've seen does such a great combination of the two. I decided I needed one to do my own art on and I have loved it!

My new chalkboard from Hobby Lobby.

Here is my Thanksgiving chalk art. I don't come up with them all on my own, I find one I like online and then make it work on my board. I really love doing them!

We just got a new craft store in town that specializes in the cut out letters. I went when it first opened and bought a Thanksgiving set since I don't have very many decorations for that holiday. 

My version.

I have A LOT of scrapbook paper and it was easy to make. Very fun!!

I AM THANKFUL FOR FAMILY

The big day finally came and we went to my brother's house. There was lots of kids, lots of food, lots of cousins, lots of laughing, lots of visiting, and lots of fun! It was great to be with my family again.

Peeling potatoes.

 I forgot my camera, so S let me take a few photos with her iPhone. Then I forgot to take more, so two is all you get. 

Cheese ball anyone? (I mean the food, not the kid behind me).

At the 'adult table' we shared memories of our favorite Christmas gift as a child. It was really fun to reminisce with everyone and hear their memories and share our own. After we cleaned up we played Pit- one of our favorite games. It was a very good and filling Thanksgiving.

THANKSGIVING ASSIGNMENT

We are headed north to my brother's house this year for Thanksgiving with all my siblings and their families. We are all excited to be going. We have a good time with my family. This year my brother made the food assignments and gave me the green bean casserole and a tossed salad. My family won't eat green bean casserole and I have never made it in my life, so my younger sister and I traded.

Rolls are an important food group.

I got to make the rolls and two pies. Rolls are a hot commodity at my house. We are bread fiends! So... I made 8 dozen rolls for about 26 people. I know that sounds like a lot, but I KNOW for a fact that I will not be bringing any leftovers home. My boys will eat them for dessert! (Big C, my biggest boy, already snuck one from the pan)!

Apple crisp so that I can use up all my canned apples.

My assignment technically involved pies, but I rebelled and didn't make them. My other brother has pies too, so I did desserts instead. No one in my family really eats pie and I made things I know they will eat. Apple crisp and vanilla ice cream for one!

Pumpkin pie cake!

I also made pumpkin pie cake. It is SO YUMMY! It is all the wonderful flavor of pumpkin pie without they yucky pie crust. I am drooling already! Bring on the feast, I am ready!

THANKSGIVING AT THE BARN

We had a wonderful Gordon Thanksgiving this year. We went up to 'The BARN', of course, and had turkey, a TON of mashed potatoes, homemade rolls, and lots of desserts. We were in food heaven (which is the purpose of Thanksgiving, right?)

Then, the day was so beautiful, we all went outside. The guys and the brave girls had a trap shoot. (BTW, I am NOT a brave girl- I hate shotguns). Here're D, Big C and Grandpa taking their turn.

This is Little C, Medium C, Uncle C and Mid C shooting those poor, defenseless clay pigeons.

Here is Little Miss C enjoying the sunny day. What a CUTIE!!

A had a great time! Food is one of his true loves, so he gives a big THUMBS UP to Thanksgiving.

Big C's cousin came with his family and brought us gifts. He markets these vinyl nail wraps called Tat Toes (you may have seen them in the mall) and he let us all choose some. Here are S (right) and N showing off the latest in nail fashion. I have some too and they are awesome! I wore mine over the summer for 6 weeks and they still looked perfect. We are fans!

FAMILY NIGHT OF GRATITUDE

We had a fun Family Home Evening last night, so I thought I'd share. D gave the lesson on gratitude/thanksgiving and wanted an idea for an activity. Pinterest came to the rescue again. (I know I said I wouldn't post about Pinterest again for a while, but I can't help it. There are just so many great ideas, I keep finding fun stuff).

This is our Thankful Tree we made. D cut branches off our aspen tree and put them in a jar. I punched out circles from scraps of paper I had, then punched small holes in them. We listed things we are thankful for and hung them on our 'tree.' It turned out cute and the kids had a blast.

Earlier in the day, Princess P and I went over to my sister's to make these pilgrim hat cookies (also inspired off of Pinterest). So this was our family night treat. It was a nice evening for all with minimal fighting (which is always a bonus ;).

FEASTING WITH THE FAMILY

We held our Thanksgiving meal here in town this year. My younger sister said she'd host if I'd do the turkey and mashed potatoes. I said 'DEAL!' We were both happy with our choices. I'd never been in charge of the turkey before, but I took the easy way out and made turkey roasts from Norbest- SERIOUS YUM- and VERY EASY!

My sister's home is not very large, so we took out all the furniture and put in tables (there's still another table in the other room too). It was wall-to-wall people, but that's what Thanksgiving is about.

This is my sister's bedroom with all her living room furniture stacked in it.

Here is S (right) and two of my nieces enjoying their meal.

Afterward, everyone came to my house to play games. I am so thankful everything turned out well!

100 THINGS I AM THANKFUL FOR

This is a challenge to myself, so feel absolutely no obligation to read this post. I gave up trying to go from most important to least, so there is no hierarchal significance. I challenge you to do a list of your own...

1. My husband

2. My children

3. The gospel of Jesus Christ

4. My health

5. My family

6. A fun job

7. My testimony of Jesus Christ

8. A warm home

9. A working car

10. Music

11. Amazing relatives

12. Fabulous friends

13. Art

14. School/Education

15. Books/Literacy

16. Sun

17. Rain

18. Snow during the Holidays

19. Rivers to run in the summer

20. Mountains to climb

21. Legs to climb them with

22. Computers

23. Hands and finger with which to type

24. Warm clothing

25. Good walking shoes

26. A selection of clothing

27. Food!

28. Contacts/glasses

29. Doctors and modern medicine

30. Great co-workers

31. Chocolate

32. A cozy bed

33. A phone

34. The ability to speak/communicate

35. Teaching/Teachers

36. Being able to see

37. Being able to hear

38. Love

39. Scriptures (esp. the Book of Mormon)

40. Jesus Christ and all he did for me

41. Ability to enjoy nature

42. Camping

43. Drawing

44. Painting

45. A dishwasher

46. Kitchen appliances in general

47. Clothes washer

48. Clothes dryer

49. Electricity

50. Running water

51. Water heater

52. Travel

53. My sisters

54. My parents

55. Soap

56. Milk

57. Caffeine free Dr. Pepper

58. Regular Dr. Pepper for when I'm driving

59. Movies

60. Walking

61. Running

62. Work

63. Play

64. Ability to smell

65. Ability to feel/touch

66. Scrapbooking

67. Disneyland

68. Family vacations

69. Surprises

70. Family Home Evening

71. Church

72. My calling (most of the time)

73. My camera

74. Photos

75. Knowledge (it is the only thing we take with us)

76. Dessert

77. Skiing

78. Scouting

79. Young Women

80. Relief Society

81. Theater

82. Musicals

83. Carrabba's

84. Cafe Rio

85. Sci Fi

86. Romantic Comedies

87. A sense of humor

88. My talents

89. The United States of America

90. Colors

91. Ephraim

92. Service

93. Fidelity

94. Honesty

95. Mexican Food

96. Italian Food

97. Apples

98. Popcorn

99. Missionary work

100. Plan of Salvation

Whew! That is one random list. Some part of it very deep, others very shallow. Good luck with yours!

TURKEY DAY AT THE FARM

Our traditional Gordon Thanksgiving Dinner was very yummy and very fun.

What would the holiday be without lots of cousins?

The weather was beautiful, so after dinner we all went outside to enjoy the sunshine. The girls watched the boys ride motorcycles.

The adults shot a full box of clay pigeons. (I did not participate in this activity. I hate shooting shotguns).

At the end of the day we were tired of eating and playing (so exhausting) and ended up inside visiting, checking the ads for shopping next day, and playing games.

Today was the big shopping day, and it was a blast. Got lots accomplished, and had a great time with my sister-in-law doing it!!

THANKSGIVING AT THE CABIN

WOW did we have a fabulous Thanksgiving! Typically I am not a huge fan of the holiday. I enjoy the opportunity of getting together with family, but the idea of cooking for days to create one meal of food that isn't even my favorite just doesn't appeal to me. And don't even get me started on the clean up...(but I won't whine. I went hiking this year instead of doing dishes). Naughty Kim.

 

This year, however, was a real treat! My sister and her husband just bought a cabin in Island Park, Idaho and remodeled it. It is a GORGEOUS cabin in a GORGEOUS setting. It was like a fairy tale holiday! We visited amazing falls, hiked in the forest by the river, played games, visited and just relaxed in this fabulous setting.  (I hope I'm not making you all too jealous- I just can't help it).  We also went in to West Yellowstone- saw the bears and the wolves, shopped a bit and ate pizza. There was just enough snow for the kids to sled and snowboard behind the Rhino and just enough chill in the air to make you want to curl up by the fire when you came in. 

This is what Thanksgiving should be, people!

My kids all say this was their favorite Thanksgiving ever and I have to agree!

Sledding kids!

The Rhino was a big hit!

Thanksgiving dessert was yummy.

My cute family.

Everyone that came.

For some of the scenic photos check out my hiking blog.

THANKSGIVING WORDS OF WISDOM