Thanksgiving, Downtown Christmas, Surprise Party, and more

The past few days have been filled with fun, food, family, friends, and surprises! We celebrated Thanksgiving at the Wheeling's and at Uncle Bryan's, enjoyed an afternoon of holiday festivities downtown, and surprised Nathan with an early birthday party.

AT THE WHEELING RESIDENCE...

Thanksgiving at the Wheeling's

Kaydra and Cole search for the wishbone

Cole and Jill engage in an intense battle over the wishbone

While taking a moment away from all the eating, the kids participated in a leisurely game of pool. Kaydra prepares for the break...

Cole examines his next shot

Claire carefully assesses the table

Jeni and Jill prepared delicious desserts

Nathan prepared Friday's lunch...Thanksgiving leftovers, pizza style

Kaydra, Claire and Cole prepared harmonious melodies to set the mood for a Thankful day

Jeni and Kaydra take a moment to relax following the big meal

Cole takes a moment to catch some air

And so does Claire

Sherry, Jill and Jeni are very thankful for the time they get to spend together

AT UNCLE BRYAN'S...

Thanksgiving w/ Uncle Bryan at his house

Bryan showcases the spread of savory options

Family photo

The kids and Bryan take a moment to relax on the couch

The kids went downstairs to the shoestore to find some supplies

Cole created a penguin with his supplies

Kaydra designed a pair of "Easy Slips" shoes

Dinner at the table...enjoying every bite

We ventured upstairs to scope out the third floor. This is the clubhouse room where Nathan, Tara, and their cousins used to play

Grandma, Grandpa, and the grandkids

BACK TO THE WHEELINGS...

After all that eating, Jeni and I were wondering why we don't just wear sweatpants all day long on holidays like this. Jeni's uncle Jerry kindly offered some sweatpants for us to wear. He forewarned us that they might be a bit short. We thought we'd give 'em a try anyway. A little short? probably so, but wow were they comfortable! (Claire is wondering what the heck is going on)

THE FOLLOWING DAY...

We did a little shopping downtown during the AM hours


Then, we returned downtown later that afternoon to enjoy the holiday festivities. This is a picture of Cole and a couple of his friends on the hayride


Cole and Claire thoroughly enjoyed the evening. I did, too. But at the same time, I was experiencing a degree of frustration because Jeni chose not to join us for this family activity. Little did I know...

She chose not to join us because she was planning a surprise 30th birthday party for me! What a wonderful woman she is. I'm a very lucky man! Friends and family from near and far gathered for the celebration. What a delightful, humbling surprise this was...a great life lesson...it's sometimes difficult for us to comprehend undesirable circumstances that don't align with our expectations, but when the time arrives for us to realize the outcome of such circumstances, we quickly learn that those circumstances occurred in our best interest...we must caution ourselves not to dwell on, or judge, perceived "negatives" in our lives because such "negatives" might actually be part of a greater plan that will yield a highly appreciated outcome.

Me with the lovely coordinator of this amazing event

Dawn and Brandi made it for the party. Dawn was able to spend Thanksgiving with us too!

The big 3-0...not quite yet. It's still one week away, which made it even more of a surprise.

A COUPLE MORE PICTURES FROM THE WEEKEND...

Cole completed his state quarter collection when he added the Hawaii coin to his book

Cole and Claire also made a fort in Cole's room...Peace!