THANKSGIVING DOWN UNDER

Thursday rolled around and since Thanksgiving is a US holiday I told the kids "Happy turkey day" and that was about the extent of our celebration. However, on Friday Kev took work off and we kept Madi home from school. Using the wonders of technology we talked to family back home with the web cam!! It was so fun to see most everyone (we missed a few of you). It worked out well this year since it was the year for both families to have Thanksgiving together.

First we called the Hutchinsons and talked for about 40 minutes. They had just finished dinner and were getting ready to decorate Grandma's tree. Madi and Kevin both got to choose where an ornament went! Kevin gave his parents a UofU ornament a long time ago and he always puts it on the tree at the very top where the star is for all to see. This year was no exception - that is where it got put this year as well. We also got to see baby Sydnie!! She is so adorable!!

After talking to the Hutchinsons we called the Cooper clan. We talked to everyone for a couple of hours and it was so much fun. The cousins had a great time talking to Madi and Cooper - we think that they actually liked watching themselves. Cooper made me laugh when he talked to Tyler for 15 minutes about trains. Those two know so much about Thomas. It was really cute to see them. They made plans to play trains when Cooper gets back home. We were a little sad to miss out on games and the Oakridge Boys Christmas. (BTW - I forgot to bring my copy of this beloved CD. If anyone wants to put one in the mail for me that would be super swell (hint, hint, hint). ) I was also sad to miss out on the traditional "black Friday" shopping. Since there is no day after Thanksgiving sales here, I have actually done all of my shopping. What a great feeling. No going to the shops during the Christmas season to find that much needed item.

We were then going to head to the beach to celebrate Thanksgiving. However, a storm had rolled in and it was windy and cooler with a possibility of rain. I told Madi that she could go back to school for the afternoon if she wanted. She was adamant that she should stay home since daddy didn't have to go to work. So we headed to the shops to run some much needed errands. One of which was to IKEA where the kids love to go and play in the play land - so they had a great afternoon.

Let me explain this picture. After talking to everyone back home and being told that it was cold and that it may snow soon Madi and Cooper went and put on their winter attire. Cooper actually wore a snow hat for two days and said that he was cold. It was really funny to see.

Saturday afternoon we headed out for Thanksgiving dinner. Another family in the ward was kind enough to invite us and the other Americans over for dinner. There were about 30 people there. We had turkey, green salad, potatoes, gravy, I made rolls, and pumpkin pie!! It was so good. The pumpkin pie was to die for. Since you can't find pumpkin in a can here she has to use real pumpkin - you really can taste a difference. Madi and Cooper had fun playing with the kids. The family has a cat so Madi was in heaven!! Madi made some new friends (surprise, surprise). At the end of the afternoon they uncovered the pool and Madi borrowed a swimming suit from her friend Chloe and they went swimming. Strange to end Thanksgiving dinner with a swim in the pool, but Madi had a blast!

This is Tess and Phoebe - Madi's new friends!

Although Turkey Day wasn't with family it was still a fun day (weekend). It was great to get to know our friends here better and remember what we are thankful for. We are thankful for family and friends and those wonderful relationships, but we are also thankful for this new adventure we are on. It is hard at times, but it is so much fun and such a learning experience as well. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, right?! We miss everyone at home, but we are thankful that you are all so supportive of us. Thanks to all of you!! We love and miss you tons!!