November was full and blessed from the very beginning...literally, with Gabe,
Missy, Forest, Willow, and Noah the Dog arriving shortly after midnight on November 1st. We'd been hoping they'd come visit for Missy's birthday. Our time together was awesome. Even though there were eleven of us living in this smallish cabin, it worked out very well. (We can handle even more than that--hint,hint). We did everything together from laundry, cooking, playing and snuggling with the little ones, stoking the wood stove and bible time, to watching the Blue Planet and making Pumpkin Moose Cookies (or as Forest calls them--Cookie Moose!). We hiked the rugged trail to Bass Lake Falls. This is a tough hike, up and down steep, wooded hills, with lots of rocks and tree roots. We all planned to carry Forest but he wouldn't have that! He hiked the whole way there and back at only 2-years old...amazing. We got to see Willow roll from back to front for her first time and the girls got practice sharing and caring for their niece. Missy and I snuck to town for 'girl time' and had a coffee while the guys went out to Moser's. We had fun celebrating Missy's birthday (30th teehee). Moriah made her a Sunflower cake and we tried out the ice cream maker with yummy results! It was a full and blessed four days together. Would have been harder seeing them go except we were going back to Iowa to be with family for Thanksgiving just a few weeks later (see below).
We went for a drive up the North Shore and to the end of Gunflint Trail on the following Saturday. Lake Superior sparkled like diamonds in the sunshine. We hadn't been to Grand Marais in 20 years. We love the little 'coastal' villages along Lake Superior, Grand Marais tops them all. The Gunflint Trail was quite long, tree lined, and sparsely populated. Towards the end of the trail there'd been a forest fire some time in the recent past. The terrain was very rocky with charred trees. Sea Gull Lake at the end of the road was a nice picnic spot.
The following two weeks was deer hunting season. Steve had gotten his drivers license so he could then get his hunting license for the season, but in Minnesota they send your drivers license in the mail and it never arrived in time. We were blessed, in spite of that, by our friends, the Mosers. We helped them process six deer and they shared venison with us. We processed in assembly line fashion, everyone with a job from the oldest down to Sarah who marked packages. One of the days we sang and worshipped while we worked which was great fun! I never remembered to take the camera so you'll have to take my word for all this.
And then it was time to go to Iowa and celebrate Thanksgiving with family and friends!! We celebrated with family at Gabe and Missy's on the 21st. It doesn't get any better than that! Only Jake was missing due to work. There was lots of food and fun. Both Aaron and Karla made apple pies that looked and tasted like masterpeices. Some of the 'girls' get to bring the same thing every year because we all like it so much--like Brooke's mashed potatoes, Sherri's Cheezy Corn Casserole, Missy's sweet potatoes, Marion brought Green Bean Casserole...we didn't get Rebekah's Rye Party Puffs since she'd had surgery on her finger the day before:~( Aaron got a 'turkey carving lesson' with Dad. All the 'cousins' had fun playing together and making 'Turkey Cookies'. The 'big kids' got a little wild and enjoyed the Wii. And I (MOM/Grandma) got a wonderful 'fix' with those I love most.
Our days up until Thanksgiving were more than filled with visiting family and friends. Sunday we went to visit Maggie's birth brother, Jaffer, and all his family. We enjoyed watching him play soccer with his team. He's very talented for his young age. We had pizza with Maya, Sean, Jaffer, Levi, Samuel, and Rael and saw their new home. It was good to catch up. We watched a video that Shawn had taken just a few months after all the kids had arrived from Liberia. They all were so little..and their accents were thick! The afternoon went all too quickly.
Monday we visited John and Grace's birth siblings, Aleah, Lawrence, and Samuel. We had lunch together and the kids played for a few hours. We've been friends with the Wallaces for years. We got to meet their two newest family members that they recently adopted. They are a blessed family!
We went to Vinton after that to spend time with my wonderful Mother-In-Law, Marion. Jake, Jacob, and Katie were there and Steve's brother Dan too. Marion made a wonderful supper for all of us..amazing that she can still do it all at 84! After that we went to our friends, the Cashman's, house for a much needed friend 'fix'.
I spent most of the day Tuesday in the kitchen making cheesecake for Thanksgiving, Forest and I making our new traditional Cookie Moose cookies, and I also had the priviledge of preparing the main course for Gabe and Missy's Tuesday night Fellowship Group. Steve and the kids went to our grandson's (Jacob, Logan, and Alex) wrestling meet late in the afternoon. We all enjoyed spending time Tuesday evening sharing a meal and a short bible lesson with the young couples in the 'group' and playing games.
Wednesday a.m. was spent with Ben, Kaelyn, Carter, and Joseph. After that we followed Ben to Center Point to drive by the house (very nice I might add) he and Rebekah are buying.
Wednesday afternoon was spent with our friends, The Deardens. Mark had the afternoon off so we all got to visit, play, and munch around the kitchen counter just like old times..I guess this is tradition!
Wednesday p.m. was spent with Aaron, Karla, and Phaedra. We shared pizza, listened to Aaron's music he's written and recorded (very awesome), watched a movie, played with Phaedra, and Karla helped the girls in creating mermaid costumes for their dolls. They all created in a circle on the floor with beads, lace, jewels, and sparkely fabric. We had a great time with them. Ahh, sweet memories. The girls are still creating with the supplies Karla sent home with them.
On Thanksgiving we went to Missy's parents and our friends, Kent and Becky Pearson's. This is the third Thanksgiving we've had the priviledge of spending with them. We got to meet Kent's son and his wife, Justin and Mirza, and some of Gabe and Missy's friends, Andrew and Vanessa and their daughter, Ava. We got to see Missy's Grammy and Grandpa Don. Of course the food was wonderful! Pat did his usual deep-fried turkey magic. It was fun for us 'grandparents' to share Forest and Willow and, perhaps, a little comfusing for Forest with three grandmas there. Some of us played a fun game of Fill or Bust. It was great to see Shannon and Christie too!
We were to go home on Friday but persuasive Missy talked us into staying another day. I needed to do some grocery shopping while in Iowa since we live 1 1/2 to 2 hours from the nearest WalMart and Sams. While Missy and I made a trip to Sams, the guys cut and hauled wood and the girls babysat. Friday night we enjoyed a yummy meal of Mexican food prepared by Mirza at the Pearson's. We are so glad we got to meet Justin and Mirza.
We decided to stay Saturday too so I could get to the Bent and Dent and String Town to finish stocking up on wheat berries, oats, and such. The guys finished putting up Gabe's winter wood supply. Then we enjoyed some down time.
We left early on Sunday and got home by 3:30-ish. Monday brought a few inches of snow, very slick roads and thankfulness that we didn't delay our trip home another day.
