Thanksgiving 2007

November 22, 2007. For Thanksgiving this year we packed up and headed to Seven Devils to meet up with the rest of the Williams clan. The brothers decided it would be nice to rent a house that was big enough to hold us all and still be close to the folks. High Country Realty was happy to oblige; we rented 925 Thorncliff just a couple doors down from Loren and Sarah.
We arrived in time for dinner Wednesday: Loren and Sarah made beef stew that everyone enjoyed. The weather was really warm (we saw temps in the high 70s on our drive) and Thursday morning -- before the cooking started in earnest -- there was a reprise of buckeye bowling from our September trip. Aaron is showing the proper form in the photo on the right. (Robert was as interested in road construction with his "flag" as the bowling.) Once again, Loren kept the buckeyes he collected in the freezer so they would not start to sprout. Interestingly, the hill we were bowling down is Buckeye Lane. November 23, 2007.
November 22, 2007. November 22, 2007.
November 22, 2007. November 22, 2007.
November 22, 2007. Robert watched all the other bowlers and did allow his grandfather to hold his "flag" so that he could bowl a couple buckeyes. While Robert favored the straight ahead bowl, Steve perfected the cross-road technique.
Another popular activity for Robert was tossing the leaves off the very high porch to see where the wind would take them. November 22, 2007.
November 22, 2007. November 22, 2007.
November 22, 2007. Loren III enjoyed having someone he could pick up (and Robert enjoyed his rides -- even the upside down ones). Of course there was some cooking to do, but it was well shared by everyone. And Susan set a great table for 15.
November 22, 2007. November 22, 2007.
After a lovely dinner, there was plenty of time to digest, put puzzles together, read and enjoy the fire. The two matriarchs were leading the charge on the puzzles but most folks helped out (Jean, Lois and Sarah are working on one in the photo below). Robert was good at saying he wanted to do a puzzle, which really means, he'd like someone else to do it while he watches... or plays cards. November 22, 2007 (Julie, Sarah, Lois, Loren III, Susan, Jean, Aaron, Loren Jr., Helen).
November 22, 2007. November 22, 2007 (Susan, Sarah Z., Loren Jr., Robert, Helen, Jean, Sarah).
November 22, 2007. November 22, 2007.
November 23, 2007. Once the fire was lit, Robert was fascinated (but still checked on the puzzle progress from time to time). Eventually, the fire died down and we all took our very full tummies to bed.
A cold front came in during the night and Friday was much colder. We spent most of the day inside -- Sarah showing Robert Sam's guitar in the photo on the right. Reading was a popular activity for everyone. November 23, 2007.
November 23, 2007. November 23, 2007.
November 23, 2007. November 23, 2007.
November 23, 2007. There was even a dusting of snow that encouraged the Hawks Nest operators to try to build up their base. (I think it melted before they could open for business.)
November 23, 2007. November 23, 2007.
November 24, 2007 (photo by Steve). November 24, 2007 (photo by Steve).
On Saturday, Aaron introduced Robert to Lowe's Build and Grow program. They invite kids to the store to build kit projects. This time it was a basketball hoop. While Aaron read the instructions and built his hoop by himself, Robert got some help from his dad (who just skimmed the directions requiring some mid-course corrections). We stayed with Helen, Steve and Aaron Sunday night and drove back Monday when the traffic was not too bad. We even had a chance to visit for a bit with Grand Martha in Richmond. A very nice holiday.

Vacation notes:

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