Turkey Trot and more, like a Lot more
The Cross Country team and their families got to run the Turkey Trot for freeeeeee. We decided we were in! Due to a time mix-up, we got to Midway Town Hall an hour earlier than we needed to. That gave us plenty of time to get the shading just right on our coloring pages. 
We split up soon after the starting line. Callie and her pals ran it, Graham and Matt jogged it, and my friend, Sally, and I walked it. Though her pace is a tough one to keep up with—and I have long legs! People we knew would sidle up to chat with us but soon bid us a good day as they realized they couldn't keep up. We finished just after Matt and Graham.
We saw so many dear friends there. It was a culmination of living in the same place for 23 years. We have rubbed shoulders in one capacity or another with so many of them. It felt like such a community. I realized how long it has taken to achieve this and that not everyone gets the opportunity. I do not take it for granted.
As Nora Krank beautifully stated, "You really have shown us the true meaning of community." Turns out that the Turkey Trot was the perfect, invigorating way to start the day. And look, Pete and I even did it with our eyes closed.
Back at home, we got ourselves ready, baked, and watched the Thanksgiving Day parade where Cher debuted her new big ol' hit, "DJ Play a Christmas Song.
" Callie put together simmer bags for the extended family members. The bags consisted of clementine, cranberries, cinnamon, and fresh pine. On our way to Cade and Ashley's later that day, I couldn't remember if I turned off the stove. I texted a friend and she came to the house and checked. Community.The size of our group leaves us only two options, to have Thanksgiving in a church, or at the Cash's house. They are so sweet to host and wow, they go all out! The living room had been transformed into a dining hall and looked stupendous. Love is in the details. It is heartwarming to look at all those chairs and know they will be filled with people I love. 
After the oohing and ahhing of the presentation comes the "My, how you've grown, whose taller, and who is smaller" (two more Goulding babies have joined since last year). Grayson hadn't seen some of the cousins since before his mission.
And we can't forget about the double birds. Matt and Jon did the honors.
And now, we dine!
Can you guess whose birthday it is?
It is actually Lindsey's birthday, yet she was the one who made the beautiful cake! My mom's birthday was the following day. It isn't uncommon for one of their birthdays to fall on Thanksgiving.
Pie! Cats!
Ashley had put together a gaggle of games. The most noteworthy one was the paper bag game where the bag kept getting shorter and shorter. The rule was that you had to pick it up with your mouth! Graham was one of the finalists. His legs were sore in the days following.
My Family!
Mi Familia!
