Finally my Thanksgiving post - Part I

My family

If you read my blog regularly--not that I post regularly--but if you have kept up--or are related to me and are in the following pictures, then you know that I spent Thanksgiving in the sunshine in Southern Utah. Since it was such a fun trip, and because I want you to meet my family, I will now indulge you with Part 1 of my Thanksgiving posts.

 When all my siblings are together with their children-- and children's children-- there is exactly 101 of us.  We outgrew my parents house years ago and have been having dinner at an LDS chapel ever since. This is us at Thanksgiving this year.  I haven't attended now for 6 or 7 years, so it was great to be back.  I hate being the only sibling living out of the state.  After we ate dinner, we introduced ourselves.   Here you see my oldest sister Danielle introducing her kids and grandkids.



We also took pictures outside.  Here are my parents,  DeLoris and Truman Blake,  married August 31, 1948.  They will celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary this summer!  Hard to believe. I feel too young to have parents married 65 years, and they feel too young to have been married that long!

Here I am with 5 of my 6 sisters.  They are some of the greatest women I know. 

L to R--the number represents birth order

Calista (7), Me (10), Debra (2), Mom, Danielle (1), Randolyn (8), Malynne (3) 

A candid shot, and Gracie wanted in on the action.

My brothers and Dad.

L to R: Nic (6), Chris (4), Dad, Jabe (5).

 

 

 

All of us together except my sister Francesca (9), was not able to attend.

 

This is Ryan's family.  They were all so sweet to meet us at the chapel so we could see them too. They drove from Salt Lake City, Phoenix, and Las Vegas.

Jill was celebrating her 60th birthday in a few days and Nicole made this beautiful memory quilt for her.  She looks like it will be her 40th birthday.

 

That evening the Swigert family went to see the St. George temple, then Will and Jill took Jace with them to see Life of Pi.

Ryan, me, and Gracie didn't go to the movie, but went back to see the temple water fountain, then went to my Mom's house instead.  Gracie does not do well in movies, and it seemed big to fight her through it.

 

 

The next day, Jace got his wish-we went and hiked a volcano.  I will post pictures.