Another Nice November

Bob and I were beginning to realize the blessings of having three of our children living in Texas.  We had grand-kids popping over for visits, and we were often found in their homes, with dad helping them complete their  "honey-do lists".  Examples: Paige and Emma making lip-balms and painting nails with grandma, and going to the Home Depot build-a-craft; watching Bennett play football and earn the MVP award for the game; walking our neighborhood trails with the Johnson family with a stop at the playground; helping build a gate into Michael and Kristin's backyard fence.

With a variety of plans with in-laws for Thanksgiving this year, we (Houston Goodmans) decided to celebrate together a little early.  On the 15th, the Bosen family came over for the weekend, and the Johnsons and M. Goodmans came up to join the fun.  We had a cookout and swim in our backyard.  Thomas incited a "Polar Bear Swim" challenge and several of the grand kids took him up on the chilling feat!  Afterwards, they warmed up in front of a movie while Grandpa enjoyed getting acquainted with Jude.

 On Saturday morning, we went to Bennett's football game.  It's so much fun to see the cousins having fun with each other!

Stephanie and Ben invited us all over to enjoy a Thanksgiving feast in their new home.  It was easily apparent that their would become the Goodman Family party house.
 

A decade has passed since I first created my Thanksgiving tablecloth, which was put into storage when we moved to Korea in 2011.  It was fun to pull it out and add to it this year.  We reflected on the tremendous blessings our family has been granted:  Michael's new job and his family settling in Katy; Ben's miraculous recovery from a stroke and their family's relocation to Houston; Baby Jude's healthy birth and a job offer for Thomas.  We feel very blessed!  We missed having Bobby and Jill's family here, but were grateful for the blessing of seeing them in July.

 

Michael, Kristin, Eve and Brady came and stayed with us for Thanksgiving Break.  We didn't have any big plans, other than to be together.  With no intention of cooking another big meal, our "Thanksgiving Dinner" was enjoyed at a nearby restaurant.

 It had been another nice November.