Thanksgiving

We went up to St, George, Utah for Thanksgiving this year. I've been going since I was a kid, so for me, St. George is the perfect place to be during that weekend. The weather is crisp, but not too cold, the leaves and trees are beautiful, and I get to see my dad's side of the family, which doesn't happen very often. My Uncle Cal's family was in charge this year, and they don't get to come every year, so it was really a lot of fun to see them all and hang out. We had a really fun time staying with my Aunt Penny and Uncle Randy. A lot of the group stayed there, so we had a fun time!

We drove up to Logandale a few days early so we could spend some time at Grandpa and Grandma's before we went to Utah. The kids had lot of fun watching movies, playing Nintendo (well, trying...) and playing with the dog, cat, and chickens.We also had Family Night there, and I realized that the kids really listen when Grandpa gives the lesson!

We headed up to St. George on Wednesday and went straight to Pizza Factory. Some of us enjoyed it more than others, I guess.

On Thursday morning we had breakfast at the church, followed by bump-out.

*Fuzzy action shots courtesy of my camera, which I obviously don't know how to use*

So I basically didn't take any pictures of the rest of the weekend, so the rest are stolen photos. Hope that's okay!

Thanksgiving dinner was awesome, as usual. I heard that around 130 people were there. After dinner, we had our little Family Home Evening, where we heard about the missionaries out and heard some stories from our uncles and aunt about our grandparents. Then we played BINGO, which was fun. Here is a really ugly picture of me:

On Friday we went to the park and the kids had a blast playing, eating turkey sandwiches and goodies*, and launching rockets.
*By the way, whoever made those shortbread bars with the caramel and pecan-halves, I need that recipe! Please identify yourself!

Friday night we went to the St. George Temple Christmas lighting, then had an amazing cannelloni dinner and Silly Song Night! For Silly Songs, our family sang and danced to the song September by Earth Wind and Fire. It was pretty funny but I don't know if everyone could hear our awesome lyrics. So for those of you who couldn't, and also because I want to remember them, I'm writing them here. Skip ahead if you want to.

Do you remember when Mason threw up that November?
It made for a Thanksgiving-ender.
Can't believe Penny let us stay.

We all got so sick. We just couldn't kick it.
We were ticked. As we barfed in the night, remember.
We just couldn't avoid the plague.

Ba de ya, every family member
Ba de ya, St. George in November
Ba de ya, celebrate the Willard way!

You want the good food. It will put you in a good mood.
Turkey, gravy, and pie.
Remember, don't forget cannelloni night.

Come November, I'll be thinking of our family members.
We've been coming since I can remember.
Wouldn't have it another way.

Linda's toffee she was bringin', a ha!
Silly songs we were singin'.
Do you remember every Thanksgiving day, yow!

Ba de ya, every family member
Ba de ya, St. George in November
Ba de ya, celebrate the Willard way!

Anyway, we had a great time! It was a lot easier this year, now that our kids have gotten a little older. Last time we went to Thanksgiving, we had a 3-year-old, an 18-month-old, and a 2-month-old! Yeah, it was so much better this year!