Thanksgiving has arrived!

 Our kids flew all the way from Vancouver to Ottawa on Thursday, Oct. 9th for a Thanksgiving visit. They rented a car, and drove an hour to our home. In the dark!

There were preparations! 

Caitlin and I decided on the menu for the Thanksgiving meal. Very traditional. A celebration of harvest and a time to be together and thankful.

I made beds in the basement. That queen-sized mattress is wonderful. We use it a lot for the Ottawa grandkids. The Vancouver girls were sleep on the couch. Jesse and Stacie on the mattress.

We counted chairs. We had 9, and texting Caitlin she suggested an outdoor chair. I had to find the table leaf insert. (Took a half hour!) Forgetting that there is a lock mechanism to release gave me a challenge. I ended up on my back, under the table, pushing one end with my feet, holding the other with my hands. It worked! You can imagine!

Next, set out the table centre! We drove down to our local farm, Miller's Bay, and I got me some gourds. Robert was there moving the produce. 

I'd bought a silly turkey hat, and plunked it on a pie pumpkin.

Every year, we get a big turkey, then have to stuff it in our little bar fridge and our little roasting pan. Every year it does not fit. 

I decided to blow the budget and get a new pan. I needed a bigger pot. I went online, found this one. Purportedly 50cm long. It was on sale, as well! 

Off I went. Canadian Tire was ready for Hallowe'en! Grampa is in love with the dragon! (Only $249!)

I found it! Except, if you read the fine print, it is 16 1/2" (42 cm), not big enough. Someone made a mistake converting the size to metric! I got a boring, big metal, enamel pan!

 

Jesse texted us the flight number, and I watched their progress, and landing. Then he sent a link for their hour-long drive in the dark. They had dinner in North Gower, where we used to live. 

It is dark out there, and there are critters on the move. Rural roads are very dark.

Happily, they arrived. I waved from the deck while the kids roared into the house. 

They'd left Vancouver at 10 a.m., but they are 3 hours behind Ontario time. They arrived at 20:28, and we hugged and hugged.

Out came the toys. We didn't play Sorry, just played with the markers, and Cluny built a tower of cards. Though it was after 8 p.m., they were on Vancouver time, 5 p.m.

Bryony adopted the fawn, and it didn't leave her side for two days.

I had a spontaneous hug, and we took a selfie! We spend so much time talking on the phone or on Facetime, it was a wonderful hug from Bryony.

Nutmeg had a love affair with Jesse's leather runners.

We all finally went to bed, ready for a great Friday! It was to be sunny, if chilly. More to come. We had so much fun.