Happy Thanksgiving! : Coronavirus Week 37

Last week was one of relaxation for us.  The week began with the scramble of school and a flurry of packing.   With Covid cases skyrocketing in MI and recommendations having been made by the Health Department to avoid gatherings of more than 2 households, we knew our typical Thanksgiving happenings at our house were not an option.  Since our households are in contact all week long due to Kathy working here, we decided to celebrate together at the cabin.

Wednesday morning, we woke and put the final things in the truck and our food onto the trailer and set off for the Sebrights house, where we put their food and cooler onto our trailer and then headed North toward Cadillac for an extended holiday weekend in celebration of Thanksgiving. 

Our drive up was very foggy nearly the entire way once we got past Grand Rapids.  We also encountered snow that built the farther we went.  It was a peaceful drive back to the cabin, though also a bit slick, and there was a lot of excitement over how much snow there was on the ground.

Once we arrived and got our things settled in, the fun began!  The kids enjoyed working away at a puzzle that was started mid Wednesday and stretched through Friday evening.  

We decorated the cabin with strings of Christmas lights and laser lights, and this prompted a curtain light show upstairs for the kids.

Once the kids were settled in for their movie and then into bed, Kathy and I crafted.

Thursday, the puzzle project continued...

Part way into the morning, we turned on the 2000 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade for everyone to watch as this year's parade was not happening the usual way due to Covid.  It was a fun look into the past, though a bit grainy for our kids' preference.

While food prep began, the kids worked on a fun Thanksgiving project, making turkeys out of apples and candies.

Outside, the oil for the turkey began to boil...

and a bit of fun in the snow took place between a few of the "older children".

We also used this time to put out driveway markers for snow plowing this winter.

With crafting completed, the kids set their eyes on coloring our Thanksgiving tablecloth, a project everyone got involved in throughout the morning.

We decided on a mid-afternoon feast, so we snacked and kept tummies happy while the food was prepared. The turkey went in closer to 1pm.

Not quite 2 hours later (we had a 22lb bird!), it was time for the turkey to come out. 

And then, with all dishes prepared, it was time to feast!

Properly stuffed, we lounged around, enjoyed the cozy cabin atmosphere with our friends, and let the food settle for a few hours before digging into our desserts.

That night, the kids played some games and puzzles and then settled in for their movie.

Then the adults had some fun with games too!

Friday, we started out slowly, relaxing by the fire while the kids played. 

After lunch, we tackled a new project, Gingerbread Houses!

After eating lots of leftovers and complaining more about being too full, we sat down to finish up that puzzle the kids were so anxious to have completed!

We were also entertained with some card tricks.

Saturday morning, we slowly began to gather our things for our eventual trip home, all while holding on to each moment as long as we could.  Elam kept us entertained with his shouts from the potty...  He has been taking to going poop on his own lately!

We also spent some time outside on a finally sunny afternoon, exploring the woods behind the cabin.

Finally, late afternoon, it was time to load our things onto the trailer and into the vehicles, clean the cabin and close it up for the cold weather before hitting the road and heading home.

We had such a wonderful time away at the cabin, some pretty fantastic memories were made and our hearts were full of gratitude for a place to spend the holiday with, wonderful food, and great company.  It passed all too quick, but filled our tanks again and set our spirits high in a time when so much anxiety, fear and confusion abound in relation to Covid.

e arrived home around 6pm on Saturday, unpacked and got kids ready for bed before turning in ourselves, plenty tired from too many late nights and early mornings.  Sunday was spent watching church at home and then we made a trip to a friend's house to watch her children while she went to help another friend whose husband had just passed away.  Our kids had a great time playing with their friends Lexi, Bella and Jack, who they have hardly seen this year.

 Now, we jump into December head first with all of the excitement for Christmas, however it looks this year.