Our family Thanksgiving celebration

This was our second annual early Thanksgiving celebration in Oshkosh. Courtney takes part in a holiday craft show on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, so last year we decided to have our family Thanksgiving after her show. It worked so well and we all enjoyed it so now we hope to make it an annual event. It also allows us to have a Thanksgiving even when the Van Aukens or the Hunters travel to other places for the actual Thanksgiving Day. Tizita certainly enjoyed hanging out with Lissa and Nathan. They participated in much foolishness over the weekend.

Tizita just could not wait to have a few cinnamon donuts, so she climbed up on the cupboard and helped herself to a few before dinner. The evidence was all over her face.

I enjoyed a pedicure courtesy of Tizita. Notice that Alissa has the important job of stocking the fridge with the beer.

Alissa had the pleasure of a manicure, too.

We used this very special tablecloth for our dinner. This is the tablecloth that people decorated at our Celebration before Tizita came home. It was wonderful to read all the messages again. What a blessing Tizita has been in our lives, what a reason to be thankful.

Here Tizita is writing a message for Natnael on the tablecloth, too.

Our little family all ready to eat the feast together.

Our thanksgiving dinner is always the same. We like it simple and easy. We have the turkey, of course, boxed mashed potatoes which we all prefer to real ones, boxed stuffing, canned corn, our only and preferred veggie, canned gravy, and cranberries. It just doesn't get any tastier or easier than this meal.

Tiz did not know what to do with this big drumstick.

We had the most amazing desserts brought by Alissa and Nathan from Simma's bakery. This is just a sampling of the yummy treats. We all enjoyed those sweets.

After John and I went to bed, there was some type of dance party going on and my two sons in law posed for this picture. I am not sure what was going on here, but I sure am glad they get along so well.

Sharing a brownie with Uncle Cheddah before he and Alissa head out on Sunday afternoon.

Paul and John enjoy the Packer game together. It was a sloppy game, but they did pull out a victory.

Tizita and I set up her Fisher Price Nativity figures which she gets out each Christmas.

It was a most perfect family Thanksgiving celebration. We all have much for which to be thankful.

Note to Natnael - we talked about you often at our Thanksgiving celebration. We miss having you here with us and we pray the wait will be short. We do know that next year you will be here eating turkey with us and our family will be complete because you will be here with us.