Life at Willis Creek Ranch: November 2014

Friday, November 28, 2014

Thanksgiving Day 2014

Thanksgiving Day 2014 was truly a day of thankfulness. First and foremost, Mama was able to join us for the meal! This was the first family meal she has been able to be a part of in over a month! We are so incredibly thankful that she is feeling better and getting stronger. Hallelujah!

Secondly, Thanksgiving Day was the 21st anniversary of our wedding. :) Marvin and I were married on the Saturday after Thanksgiving in 1993 and periodically our anniversary falls on Thanksgiving Day. This was one of those years. Seems truly fitting to celebrate our anniversary on the official day set aside to celebrate our gratitude.

Because of the difficulties of the fall we all did something we have never done before... we ordered most of the meal from our local grocery store. When we made the decision last week it felt pretty strange. We ALWAYS cook our big family meals and I just wasn't entirely sure how I would feel about buying the food. However, I have to say that it worked out just fine. Considering all that has been going on I honestly don't know how we would have made that big meal on our own this year. It certainly made the prep low key! :)

Above all, we are truly thankful for the blessing of family and friends. What a treasure in our lives.

Look what greeted us as we entered Julie's house. So sweet!

Marvin and Laura - 21 years

Jackson and Brianna

Jackson snitching some turkey... share with Brianna! :D

Rojina, Julie, and Diane

Julie and Rojina

Jackson, Brianna, and Jonathan

Jackson, Daddy, Brianna, Jonathan, Rojina

Thanksgiving 2014

Anna made these turkey decorations over a decade ago.

There was a big surprise for Jonathan after lunch. There is a tradition in our family that Grandma Sue makes her famous and yummy chocolate cake for birthday celebrations. Mama wasn't able to do that for Jonathan's birthday in October. But, she was able to make it for Thanksgiving and surprise Jonathan! What a great moment! He was really happy to see that cake (and so were the rest of us!) :)

Grandma Sue and Jackson

Pierce and Betty

You can see an entire album of photos by clicking here.

Early Thanksgiving with the M family

Since the M family will be traveling this Thanksgiving we all decided to get together a few days early to celebrate Thanksgiving together. They graciously invited us all out to their home and we enjoyed an entire day together. Truly a happy occasion to celebrate the love of our family and friends. The only downside was that Daddy and Mama were unable to join us. Mama is improving, but not yet ready for a gathering.

Pierce, Rojina, Jonathan, Brenda, Marvin, Anna, Betty

Jackson, Brianna, Melina, Megan, Jeff, Matthew, Anna, Rojina, Jonathan

Brenda, Julie, Marvin, Anna, Pierce, Betty

Jackson and Brianna

Brianna and Melina

Megan and Jeff

Matthew and Anna

Rojina and Jonathan

Pierce and Betty

Brenda and Matt

Julie and Laura

Laura and Marvin

Marvin couldn't decide which kind of pie he wanted... :)

Pierce, Betty, and Matthew

game time!

We love to hear Pierce play the piano!

Jonathan, Jackson, and Brianna

Jackson and Brianna

You can see an entire album of photos by clicking here.

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Ladies Luncheon with Rojina

What a treat we had on Thursday! Dear Rojina invited several of us ladies to come and enjoy a home cooked Nepalese meal at Julie's house! You can bet that we were all pretty excited at that prospect! Rojina is a marvelous cook and we so enjoyed getting to sample some authentic and delicious Nepalese dishes. Everything was yummy and I hope to get recipes for all.

Everything is SO GOOD!!!

Deb, Kelly, Susan, Alicia, Rojina, Julie

Alicia, Rojina, Julie, Deb, Kelly, Susan

Deb had to leave early so we got this photo of Rojina and Deb.

After lunch Rojina dressed in her Sari for us. It is so intricately beautiful and she is simply breathtaking. She also spent time answering many questions for us and sharing with us about her beautiful country and culture.