Thanksgiving

 

This year, our son Michael who lives in Salt Lake City, invited us to come down to his house for Thanksgiving this year to enjoy the Holiday with he and his family.  It's been quite a while since we've been to SLC, so it was wonderful to go and visit all of our family who lives there.  Michael invited my mother to come along with us, so we stopped in Pendelton and picked her up.  It took us two days to drive down....we slept in Pendleton the first night so the trip wasn't so tiring.  As we arrived in the Salt Valley, the sun was just setting.  I had forgotten how beautiful sunsets can be in Utah.  (I took this photo going 70 mph driving down the freeway.)

 

 

Before we drove out to Michael's house in South Jordan, we stopped in Midvale to say "hello" to Ron's parents, Joe and Doris Southworth.  It's been almost two years since we've visited them.

 



 

Many hands make light work, so we all pitched in to help with dinner on Thanksgiving Day.  MIchael and Emmy have a beautiful home with room for everyone, and there was a warm atmosphere will all the family around.

It was practically impossible to get a photo of everyone at the tables, so we divided it up into two shots.....one from each end of the tables.  Besides ourselves and my mother, there was also Emmy's parents, Guy and Karen Bowden, and Emmy brother Colt and his wife Abby, plus Ron's parents. 

 



Later during the week, Michael, Emmy, my mom and Ron and I drove up to Park City.  We spent the afternoon wandering through several art/photography galleries, and then enjoyed lunch at a very nice Mexican resaurtant. 

 



There was a little snow here and there, but most of the snow that they had received the previous week had melted.  It was very warm in the sun, but rather chilly on the shady side of the street.  We all enjoyed looking at all the different shops.  We were wishing that there was some way that we could Ron's photography into a gallery here.

 



 

Ron had never been to his sister Jean's home in Pleasant Grove, in Utah Valley.  We lucked out and they had several of their children and their spouses there as well, so we got to see everyone.  (below: Jean and Ben Zitting)

 



 

Grandpa found a nice comfortable chair and put his feet up.  

 

 

Ron's mother Doris, showed me all around Jean's house.......Jean had painted, decorated and even done some carpentry work all herself.  Her home was very beautiful and homey.

 



Before we left Utah Valley, we stopped at the Lehi Cemetery and found Dori's parents graves.  Then we found the spots where Doris and Joe are to be buried.  It was such a peaceful and beautiful little place.....and we lucked out and had beautiful sunshine.

 



 

We also visited Ron's brother Lynn in Sandy, and several of his children and their families were there as well.  (we didn't get any photos of them though.)

 

We had planned on starting to drive home on Sunday morning, and then get back to Camano Island by Monday night.....but the best of plans can change.  Michael was called as the First Counselor in the Bishopric of his ward.......they also called a new Bishop, and Michael really wanted us to stay to Sacrament Meeting because of this.  We hadn't even brought Sunday clothes, but we were able to come up with something that worked for everyone:  Ron borrowed one of Michaels old suits, white shirt and tie along withs shoes.  My mother borrowed a skirt from Emmy, and I borrowed a skirt from Emmy mom.  I had to buy a pair of black dress shoes (but I needed some anyway, so that was not a problem.)  So all in all, I think we turned out pretty good.  Below: Ron and I with Michael.  We are so proud of him.  He is such a wonderful son, husband, father and now a counselor in the Bishopric.

 



It was a good opportunity to snap a few family photos.....how often can you get everyone together, and all dressed up?

 



Emmy and the kids put up the Christmas tree while the stereo played Christmas music.  It was wonderful to be able to spend time with our family.  Everyone is so spread out, that we don't get to see everyone very often.  Thank you Michael and Emmy for the invitation to share this time with you.  We love you!