Thanksgiving Dinner part 3

I was so grateful that the kids all came on Saturday. OK, most of them. My youngest and I don't speak, so it was the best we could do. (I know some of you are in the same situation.) I cannot tell you how monumental this is for me. We've no other family nearby. Travel is out of the question right now.

The kids arrived from Vancouver Thursday (1), but Friday (2) we played! By Saturday morning, Jesse and I got down to business. Jess dried the unwrapped turkey, and put salt and pepper on the turkey, inside and out.  I write this down, as I don't usually do the turkey. Jean-Luc my SIL is usually our cook! 

Cluny and Stacie began a dragon puzzle.

Showers were had, and Jesse and Stacie moved the puzzle from the dining room to the living room.

Cluny helped me set the table.

We used to have name tags when extended family would visit. I thought about that, and Stacie suggested it to Cluny! I showed her my name drawing I'd bought many years ago:

It was inspiration. This is just two of the 10 she did for us. 

Jesse went for a run. He did 10 km. Grampa loaned him a vest. Our road is notorious for crazy drivers, we sent him along a side road. 

Our Ottawa kids arrived in good time.

Jordan came home from Queen's University Friday. He's on a Reading Week next week. He and Caitlin worked on some physics assignment until late Friday. Oh, the challenges of higher academia! 

It's a difficult puzzle so the moms helped work on it!

Jesse basted the turkey all day. J-L did his thing carving.

Aster worked on the cranberry sauce, while her Papa made gravy. Also, roast potatoes, and carrots.

Aster made a pumpkin pie from scratch, even cooking the pumpkins. Caitlin made an apple pie!

I set up the tripod with my camera and practiced. It took me 10 minutes to figure out the timer. 

Stacie was in charge of it, what pressure?! She pushed the button, and ran back to her chair. Not so bad!

Jordan offered to exchange trailcam memory cards. That was his job when they stayed with us every other week during COVID lockdowns. He led the crew! 

Ta da! The puzzle is done...

Saturday afternoon, they all went back to Caitlin's house. They had ham, and all of them, including my youngest, went to the soccer game. 

Loading up for the trip to the Ottawa airport.

"I hope you can return home with your cups full, your hearts singing, and your spirits soaring."

– National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, TV special.