Simplify: Many Thanks for this Thanksgiving weekend!

It's 4am flight at 6:30am. We were told to be at the airport 3 hours prior to our flight time for international flights. That's WAY early. We planned to be there for 4am instead. Good thing, because when we made it to the check in - there was NO STAFF. They are not even open until 4:30. Phew! Glad we didn't leave our home earlier than needed. At that time of day every extra minuet is precious! We were so excited - we're off to Uncle James and Auntie Rachaels home! Kent was keen to watch all the airport traffic, luggage being pulled this way and that, others walking around inspecting, planes docking to a terminal. He is becoming a regular flyer for his age! 10 months old and getting on the 3rd flight in his life. We arrived in Calgary by 11:30am and were greeted most warmly by mom! She braved her way to the airport dispite all the poor signage. She is so wonderful! We were so grateful to be with her again! There is nothing like seeing her as a grandmother to Kent. She is so attentive and loving to him. Right away talking with him and asking about his flight and singing songs and giving him lots of squeezes and smiles. We hadn't even made it out of the airport yet! Those are sweet memories for me. After Wade used his made packing skills to organize moms car with our additional luggage and thanks to Mandy for lending us her car seat, we were on our way to James and Rach's where they had a Thanksgiving feast in the making!

This isn't a pic of the thanksgiving dinner, but every meal was like a thanksgiving dinner - so this works just fine! A feast indeed! It was so wonderful to see everyone there! All of Rachaels family minus Trents family, and Greg - and all of our family minus Toms family. We've talked in the past about how nice it would be to have a "reunion" with the Williams and the Spencer families. And now we've basically had one! William and Ryrie got baptized this American thanksgiving weekend and we sure had a great time together! Look at Rach! She is expecting their 5th son! Due January 17th -ish. N is also expecting! Their 4th!

It doesn't seem that long ago when W and R were sitting in that high chair! Eight years old now!!

The baptism and confirmation was so special. I didn't want the meeting to end. There was such a strong presence of the spirit and love for these two fine boys. What a sacred ordinance. I'm so grateful that we could attend. A cherished time in our lives. Wade and I feel so blessed to have the loving family and gospel of Christ that we do.

Emma is sure growing up! She is a ton of fun! It was too short of a weekend together. Made for a tough goodbye. After Mom, Wade, Kent and I said our farewells at the church building to the rest of the family and headed to the car to make the drive back to the airport I welled up with tears. It's always so hard to say goodbye especially when I don't know when we'll get to see each other again. When we got to the car I realized I needed to prepare a bottle for Kent. I fetched what I needed and headed back into the church. On my way out I ran into Lloyd, Jeanette and Emma Clay and Corbin and James again! Knowing that I needed to be on my way I still couldn't resist another round of goodbye hugs. Emma was crying and I asked her if she was ok? I only then realized it was saying goodbye that was tough. I guess I just think that I'm the only one who is the "sad" one who has to "leave". I've figured they all have each other and I'm the one who visits and be the one away. BUT I got a new take on the whole goodbyes situation. My heart went out to Emma. I didn't want her to feel sad. I hugged Emma again and told her how thankful I was we could hang out again and that we will again and again and again! Each of my darling nieces and nephews Campbell, Tressa, Amberley, Jayda, Emma, Clay, Corbin, William, Ryrie, Owen and Thomas - their parents and grandma - If only we could see each other whenever we wanted. Thankfully Wade loves them all too and we will always try to come whenever we can. I think C, T and E need to come together to visit us! That would be great! Send the 3 oldest whenever you can!! OK! Sure love you all!

Uncle James and Kent