Thanksgiving 2008

Here are the 3 Newman 11-year olds. The whole Newman clan (right below) including Chris' parents and brothers Tim (Emily), Nick (Barb), Matt (Suzanna) and twin cousins Anna and Bennett. Aaron is at front left.

Alexander and Aunt Carolyn get acquainted. Suzanna with Alex and the 3 "big" cousins.

New baby nephew Alexander is very cute. He was born in August and Chris, Aaron and I hadn't seen him since he lives in Maine.

We gathered at Chris' parents in Ann Arbor. The twin cousins, Anna and Bennett, were visiting from New York.

Doesn't Jan set a pretty table? The turkey is very lovely, too. And every dish was to die for it was so good. She can cook for sure. Believe it or not, the persimmon dish was a crowd favorite!

On Wednesday night, we were all at one table. On Thursday, there were two more guests, so the kids ate in the kitchen. They didn't go for the butternut squash soup course very readily.

They escaped to the basement and were playing some game. I heard Aaron say "I am the Prime Minister of Fraaaance."

(not that there IS one, but...)

Here, Aaron tests his height against one of the guests, long-time friend Jacqueline Morton, who really is from Paris. She used to live around the corner from the Newmans when they lived on Hill Street.

Alice Simsar also joined the group. She is lots of fun.

TRICK OR TREATING FUN

We invited the Ellsworth family to join us. They live out in the country.
Nathan was a basket of laundry, Dana was a "black eyed Pea", Lydia was a kitty, Benjamin was alternatively a mugger and a caped crusader, Eli and Isaac were knights, Tad was a lawyer (the briefcase was handy for candy), Keren was a flower, and my Aaron was a banana. (we almost dressed Zelda up as grapes, but she just ended up wearing her jester collar--dogs don't like to be too fussy)

We walked down Saline River Drive and through part of Torwood. In Saline, 6-8pm is the official time and you really can't get through very many streets in that time if you aren't ones who just run from house to house. It worked well to go with the Ellsworths, since with such an age range (kids 1-13) the pace was not too speedy. That suits us well!

Afterwards, we spread the loot in the basement. They have a tradition of putting all six kids' stuff into one big pile, giving them 24 hours to do what they will with it, and then it goes out of the house.

Some kids (the older ones) were holding back a few choice selections, though!
Tad and Aaron did a couple of swaps -- Aaron was revelling in just getting off his braces and being able to have caramels and Dots, whereas Tad really loved Reese's Cups (I mean who doesn't?). All in all, it was a lot of fun.