27 November 2016 - Texas, Thanksgiving, Baptism, Fun and Family

Monday was exciting. After Seminary there was packing and planning and coordinating to get ready for the flight to Texas. Samuel had to be picked up early from school and Brian came over to transport family and luggage to the airport. A four hour flight and time change meant that the plane landed after 9:30 in Texas. Austin was there to pick up the travelers and shuttle them to his home. Stephen and Kathleen picked Emeri's room with the King Size mattress even if it was on the floor. Samuel spent the night in Isaac and Andrew's room. Josiah was staying with Liz and Austin and Kimball was staying with Jon and Jenna. Susan and Cory were enjoying some private time for their anniversary.

A spitting dino that got them wet....

T-rex with Oakley and Grandma.

This dino was suppose to be the pattern
that Jurassic Park used for their Velociraptors.

Triceratops and kids....

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Crawling on a Dinosaur.

  Tuesday afternoon was a trip to the dinosaur park where we met up with Susan and Cory. Stephen went with Jon to "sight in" some rifles for a "wild pig" hunt that he was going on with Nathan Kruse. After a lovely lunch at the "cabin sites" and more exploration in the Museum, we drove back to Jon and Jenna's home for dinner. Elizabeth had Austin bring French bread and Jenna fixed a nice butternut squash soup that we ate with rice. Just after dinner was getting finished, Gary and Finau Furniss and their four kids came and Samuel was having such a great time that he decided to stay at Jon and Jenna's house with them.
  Wednesday was shopping for the food that was needed for Thanksgiving dinner. The Fudgy Pecan Pie was made by Austin and the Banana Cream Pies were made by Kathleen along with some Better than Pumpkin Pie. Everyone was invited to the Heath House to prepare the rooms for the dinner the next day. After some work and great conversation, everyone left but Stephen and Kathleen. It was great talking with Tammy and enjoying her spirit and her hopes for the future. It was hard to leave.

The Basketball players and cheer squad.

  On the way back to Liz and Austin's place, they decided to see Jon and his family, Samuel and the Furniss gang who were at the church playing basketball.  The teams were evenly in number but not in ability. Samuel was with Jon and Br. Furniss against the Furniss kids Gary Jr., Sam and Anna. It was fun to watch but the even more fun to play. Kathleen started playing with the adult side and Samuel went to the Kids. Then Finau started to play along with her daughter Lola. Jenna was trying to corral the kids and keep them from getting hurt when Kathleen took a backwards dive landing on her backside and then smacking her head against the floor with a crack. That ended the game for the evening. Kathleen had some nausea and a big headache but otherwise survived.
  Thursday was Thanksgiving. The annual turkey bowl left Br. Furniss with a bruised shoulder and Katelyn had a bad sprained ankle from being double bounced on the trampoline with her eyes closed. At least it wasn't a break but both went to the emergency room to make sure. Dinner was at 1:00 at Tammy's house but didn't start until 2:00. There were several turkeys, ham, green bean casserole, sweet potato casseroles, salads, jellos, rolls, corn bread dressing and condiments. Everything was delicious and it was a wonderful feeling to be with so many family members and friends. Gratitude for all that the Lord provides for us in our daily lives was evident.

Lights on and cards out.

  After dinner and cleanup, everyone went home to put babies to bed for a nap before the night's activities. The older little ones helped make Thank you cards for the local police and firefighters. Their mothers cooked up cookies and cupcakes and made nice displays to take to the local stations in Prosper. It was a fun delivery to the Police department as they turned on their lights and seemed so happy to see the kids. The Firemen were just as happy and let the kids crawl through the fire trucks.

Capturing the "Thanks" given to those who serve us daily.

Firemen hats and tours through the trucks.

All the families gathered together again in the evening. Dessert was served along with hot chocolate and apple cider. Then the little kids were put to bed and the teens left for the media room and a movie. The adults then got together and played a game of white elephant gifts which was great fun and very memorable as Jon finished the game with a surprise ending giving Jenna the gift that she wanted.

Everyone in front on the trucks at the station.

  Friday, Jon took the Furniss family out with his boat and Stephen went shopping for boards for some of the projects that he wanted to do for Liz and Austin. The ladies went back to Tammy's house to help put things back in order. After some games, food and fun, people started to go back to their places of sleep. Susan and Cory were waiting for people to get back but there wasn't time.

The smiles were worth the effort.

Cousins on a special baptism day for
Katelyn.

  Saturday was a 10:00 baptism of Katelyn Jenna Ralph by her father, Jonathan Stephen Ralph. Her grandmothers gave talks on the Holy Ghost (Susan Woods) and Baptism (Kathleen Ralph) and her grandfathers (Gary Furniss & Stephen Ralph) were the witnesses. It was made very special by Jenna and a special cake by Tammy Heath. Katelyn was on crutches due to the sprain and was carried down into the water. She didn't was to use the crutches very much so she did a lot of hopping around the room but she didn't seem to mind and it was her special day. After the baptism we gathered at Jon and Jenna's house for pulled pork sandwiches, veggies, salad and the beautiful cake. It was so special.

Cousins after the baptism...

Kimball and Katelyn both had baptisms
this year. 

A special cake for the 8 year old's
baptism day.

Kimball had a great time.

Leaving with Love....

The Furniss family

  Soon after the Furniss family had to leave to make it to New Mexico for the night. They were making their way back to California. Samuel had a great time with them and kept in touch with their travels by text. Susan and Cory left next, going to the airport for their flight back to Boise. They had a rental car that had to be turned in first. It was sad to see them go but great to have them there for such a special occasion.

Goodbyes all around.

Josiah doesn't want to leave...

Brother Love!

  Sunday was a special experience at the church. They had a special musical testimony meeting with members coming up and announcing their favorite hymn and why the love it and how it strengthened their testimony of the Savior. It was such a unique idea. It was very memorable. Sunday evening Ernie and Sharon came through from visiting Lindsey and Dan on their way to Louisana for the night. They stayed for over an hour and it was so fun talking with them and hearing their positions on things.

Sharon & Ernie visiting Stephen & Kathleen and family while
heading back to South Carolina.