Thanksgiving 2024

It started when Viv and I had the whole week off and decided to go to Sequoia National Park. But then we thought, "the Rees family likes Sequoia," so we invited them. But then there were three of us getting together just an hour from home, and wouldn't it be fun to have Beth and Sarah stop in? And if we're all at the Airbnb when Mom and Rachel fly in, well, they should obviously come up. Just like that, we had 20 people in the little cabin and it was clear that Thanksgiving was going to be a party.

Other notable moments:

- touring the Greek Orthodox monastery. When we drove up to the imposing iron gates, Gordon bravely pushed the call button and asked, "Are you open to the public?" A pause, and then a voice came from on high:

Who are you?

Another pause, while Gordon examined his soul for the answer, finally replying:

I'm Gordon Rees.

And the gates slowly opened for us.

- at the same monastery, we were all on our best behavior until Eric gave Beth a heart attack when he reached up and grabbed the gigantic golden chandelier and gave it a big swing. Her whole assessment of his character and her success as a parent was momentarily in question until the tiny nun stepped out from behind him, and Beth realized that Eric had only been following instructions.

- it was rainy, so Sydney led a round of DND, lots of FIFA was played, and hot sauce taste testing was a success. We did brave a couple of misty, drippy hikes among the grandeur of those amazing trees.

- we played hot potato dares

- we had 'easy favorite things' dinner

- Chris hiked from barn road to the bridge formerly known as Squaw Leap. It really didn't take him that long

- Sarah fixed an age-old problem by just going to the store and buying more measuring cups

- we made 22 pies. New ones included spumoni, persimmon, and rhubarb custard. 

- Beth took a lot of the boys back to her house and made all of Theo's dreams come true at a fruit stand

- All of a sudden we have enough good volleyball players to play 6 v 6.

- We painted half bananas, because Beth is good at woodworking and Vivian is funny

- Basically, everyone got enough to eat and nobody cried (much). Happy times 

2019-2024 Wrap UP

Well, I'm trying to publish the Woodpile book for this season and suddenly there's too much to include. Like Thanksgiving 2023, where the Thomases didn't come and we didn't know what to do with ourselves. Or when we made this painting recreation, or started Slytherins for Jesus. And when Theo dislocated his elbow. And we all went to see Dad for his birthday and ate a lot of cheese, and snuck Rachel into an Airbnb. And then Mom moved to Utah with Rachel to go on a mission for the church. And, and...

Well, I've done what I could.

Bad Idea vs. Good Idea

Playing the game Wavelengths, we decide to match categories to family members

- 85% smooth (rough vs smooth): Preston

- Nice animal vs. Scary Animal: Vivian. "The only time I've ever screamed in my own home was when Vivian appeared outside my window in a squirrel suit" -Gordon

- Replaceable vs Irreplaceable: Carrie

        - "well they tried to replace her 5 times" -Vivian

        - "but who would have married Chris?" -Beth

        - "Carrie is mostly irreplaceable" - Claire. "That should go on her tombstone."

War-like vs Peaceful: Jackson

        Gwen: "I pick fights all the time because I'm snarky" 
        Preston: "I haven't seen it"

Bad influence vs Good Influence: Carrie

        Rachel to Lucy: "How many times have you had to confess to your bishop something that your mom made you do?"

        Theo and Lucy: "In our family she's the voice of reason" 
        Everyone: "WHAT?" 
        Carrie: "It's true and I hate it so much!"

Flavorful vs Flavorless: Christopher, being tactful, chooses himself

Easy to Use vs Not Easy to Use:  Colin. His siblings say easy to use,  but others disagree. Later, they ask him to get an otter pop and he says no

Plain vs Fancy

        "I don't know, I'm seeing a lot of graphic tees" - Preston. "I wear them too but I buy mine new.”

Funny Ha Ha

What are the funniest things ever said in our family? Taken in context, meaning no one else needs to think they are stand-alone funny. Here are my nominations:

- "Soft bread was good enough for Jesus" - Vivian, circa 1997

- "You know about Gordon, right?" - Theo

- "None of these is a chocolate croissant!"  - Carrie

- "I frew tumbody's keys" - Hugo

"I would say Evan, but then everyone would know I was lying." - GORDON

"Well, at least I have my bread..." - Sydney

"You're talking about spherical dimensions!" - Jerry

"He's wild, and he smells like blue cheese." - Lucy

"What do you call a satisfactory buffalo?... Enoughalo!"  - Rachel

"You look like a walking intestine." -Hal