Thanksgiving Adventures

Thanksgiving vacation 2009 will not soon be forgotten. We had a lovely time in Oregon with family and friends for Thanksgiving and Uncle Rick's wedding. Adventures included, but were not limited to: driving straight through the night both ways, an exclusive lunch with the bride and groom, wonderful meetings with such loving people, 4 nights in awesome sweets at a Marriott with all Keith's family, an amazing Thanksgiving feast at the home of Julia's (the bride's) parents, swimming at a rec center, stuffing ourselves at a rehearsal dinner buffet, family photos, an absolutely beautiful wedding ceremony and reception, and just plain lots and lots of good times. Thank you to everyone for making our vacation such a wonderful experience.

Preparing the Thanksgiving meal. It was a tremendous group effort and it was delicious!

Chowing down. I think there were 30 people gathered around tables for dinner and enough food to feed nearly 30 more!

Julia is sitting at the far end of this table with her Dad (Eddie), grandmother, and Mom (Cindy). They were so hospitable and it was a pleasure to spend time in their home.

After dinner exercise: Foosball and air hockey.

Boyd, always ready to eat just a little more!

Tyler found a true friend in Dennis. They really hit it off.

After dessert we helped make these poms out of tissue paper. Then they were loaded in a car and everyone headed over to the reception hall to decorate.

The next morning we had a blast swimming at Salem's brand new rec center. It had a huge wading pool with a small slide for the kids and lots of fountains and even a winding, slow moving river for tubing on. There was a gigantic twisting slide too, that we adults took a few turns on.

Friday evening found us at an all-you-can-eat buffet for the rehearsal dinner. Yummy!

Family pictures were taken before the wedding. We hope to get our hands on some of the professional ones as everyone was so beautiful and the weather so nice.

Dale, Kari, Rowena, and Mari.

An attempt to round up the nieces and nephews. Boyd and Aiden want nothing to do with it. Can't you just picture Rick and Julia with their lovely brood someday?!

A beautiful ceremony. It was so well organized, so complete. Shirley played the piano, Julia's uncle did the officiating, all of the siblings sang a song Cindy had written the words for, Jean L. spoke, and the exchange of vows and rings was so touching.

The reception was also very nice. The cake was made of cup cakes and decorated so beautifully with fresh flowers.

Julia's cousins sang two songs and then the siblings (minus bride and groom) sang a spoof song Cindy had also written words for called "Gone Are My Single Days." It was a surprise to Rick and Julia and very hilarious!

Here Rick smiles at Cindy during the spoof song.

The happy couple makes their exit.

Unwrapping the cellophane off of the car.

And they're off to a bright and happy future together. We're so happy for both of you!

We pointed our car back east again on Sunday afternoon and arrived home mid-morning on Monday. It was truly an enjoyable adventure!