Thanksgiving with a twist

 It was a real bummer when Ross told us that Lerlyn had Covid...the same thing he was unknowingly sharing with us the day he came over for an unannounced visit (practically) and spent the night and all of the next morning with Paul the Tuesday a week before Thanksgiving.  I was pretty upset when he came in coughing and blowing his nose continually.  I even spoke out and said I really didn't want what he had to to ruin our Thanksgiving with our family the next week.  Well, we heard about Lerlyn on the day before Thanksgiving and hurriedly went out and bought Covid tests.  Paul, Bean and I tested, and Paul came up positive!  Jay and Brynn were already on their way down to stay with us for the  holiday.  We called them.  They stopped for dinner and tested to see if Paul had shared it with them the week before when we were up at their house and Paul first started feeling a little sickish (the Friday after Ross had visited us).  Thankfully they were all negative and they ended up staying with Moss and Christie.  Paul doesn't really feel very bad.  We checked with everyone and they all said to go ahead with Thanksgiving at the church with everyone with us sitting at a different table and wearing masks most all of the time except when eating.  (Supe, Beacher, Jem and Koen and Torin are not in the group shot as they had to come a little bit later.)

Grandma had been on us about having Thanksgiving with us, but not able to really stand us as a whole group.  So the answer was to set her up in her own little dining room at the church just down the hall from where we all were.  Then people took turns going in to visit with her...and it worked out wonderfully!  Whew! Glad we got that right.  

The rest of us enjoyed a wonderful time feasting, playing in the other half of the gym - basketball and 9 square, etc. and all of the kids just enjoyed pairing up with other cousins and playing in different rooms around the building.  

After lunch and some time just visiting, most of us took a walk across the street to the university campus and enjoyed the cool sunny weather and getting some exercise before the pie devouring began.  Then it was more time for visiting and some more gym time, kids playing and table games.  The day went too fast and it was time to clean up and say our goodbyes.  It was especially nice to have Ferf's kids - Brynnli and boyfriend Ryan, Kennis (from college in St. Louis) and Tavin (from BYU) and of course Kaebri (home from her mission) there with us.  Ryan had the Ferf's little boys, but let them come over for a while which we were happy about too.  (A fun addition this year was having everyone bring table decorations; so cute and festive! And we love having it at this YSA building with the divided gym!)

It turned out well in spite of the last minute Covid twist. Our house has felt quiet without Jay and Brynn and girls as expected, but we did spend a little time with them on Saturday afternoon outside.

Unfortunately the special birthday dinner for Paul on Friday afternoon at a new amazing Italian restaurant had to go on without us.  A few other people ended up not being able to attend as well.  That was the most disappointing part about all of it.  As of Saturday afternoon Bean and I are still negative thank goodness.  I hope we miss it entirely.  

 Happy Thanksgiving 2022!  I do feel so grateful for so very many blessings 

that I have personally and that we all enjoy as a whole family group.