Thanksgiving Randomness. . .

 

The day after Thanksgiving, we just spent time together as a family. We had the race, ate lunch together, the kids ran around all afternoon, and we played games. At one point, eight of my nine sisters and one sister-in-law ended up in the basement of my dad's house. The oldest sister, Elise, gave us all matching rainboots, my first pair since I was a kid! From left to right, Kim (Doug's wife), me, Sharon, Marilyn, Jane, Elise, Lianne, Janette, Lori, Linda. (Sister Chris is missing.)

Cousins Joseph and Hudson

The cousins spent hours on the trampoline! Emily, Sadie, Olivia, Ariane, Casja, Alexis, Dawson, Joslyn, Joseph, Hudson, and Emma Jae. I didn't see Emma for most of that day because she was always playing with one cousin or another!

This is the view from my childhood home looking east toward Goodland. Town was ten miles away and growing up, it felt like a hundred miles. It was a big deal to go to town and 10-15 minutes felt like an eternity! In 2005, Kevin and I were staying at my dad's house and as part of my marathon training, I ran to town and back. I'm pretty proud of that. I love this view. Everything, including the distance to town, feels smaller since I've grown up!

This is Lily, my niece Erica's daughter. She reminds me so much of Adri. They're only a month apart in age and seem to have similar personalities.

Sometimes we get crazy at the Duell household!

Jane and her kill. . .

This is the dining room table at my dad's house. It's the size of a boardroom business table and has been part of my life since I can remember. I'm pretty sure it was in the house before I was born. It is the most sturdy, durable table I've ever seen! I cannot believe it's lasted all these years! Many, many meals have been shared around this table! Many games have been won and lost on this table.

My dad always has weird items laying around his house. This wig was just outside the bedroom where we were staying and I picked it up, thinking I could possible go with the short hairdo someday. Nope. I sent a picture of my "new do" to some friends and did not get a favorable response:) Needless to say, I will not be chopping my locks anytime soon!

It's a little different look on Kevin. . .

Emma and Adri have had a lot of fun with the wig, too!