A Thanksgiving to remember

I think we can all agree that this years Thanksgiving was truly a special one. Everything from the food to the time spent together was absolutely perfect. The only thing that could have made it any better would've been to have Preston and Rachel there....possibly a magic trick....and Alexis, Xander, and Kennedy part of the fun show that all the grand kids put together :) Kevin and I felt so lucky to have everyone in our very own home. Words can't express what that meant to us. I am so glad that mom had us sit all together (no kids table!) so that we could all share such a memorable feast together! Here are some of those moments I think we'll always remember......

*Morgan trying not to laugh or smile all night because of her painful surgery......needless to say she did not succeed! Ha! So good to see her laugh again :)We are all soooo happy that you are finally on your way to feeling healthy again!
*Kris's homemade vanilla bean cool whip. I think this was a highlight for everyone.......Mmmmm!
*The big show! I keep picturing Cedar doing her funny little evil dance and Aisling's long legs doing cartwheels! Rowan never broke character building his bricks and Ari's emotional moment was nothing short of touching......what an actress! Oh and who can forget Austin?!? "I am the King Joker!!!" hehe!
*I loved seeing Jonathon and Hazel tackle each other and shout noises at each other! I think those two are going to be good friends....they are definitely an even match ;)
*Morgan's tub of fluff! Bahahahaha! Who could forget that?!? (I'm sure most of us are still eating some leftovers.....I know I am!) Yum!
*Marsh showing us that pic of Rowan with the knife. Hahahaha! If you didn't see it then ask Marsh to show it to you sometime. Hilarious! 
*Finding Ash sitting on our bed hanging out and chatting with Sam :)
*Earlier that day I thought the turkey was on fire. I came home from choir and our whole kitchen was covered in smoke. Kevin didn't seem to notice and thought I was losing it, but when my eyes started burning I knew I better call mom. She didn't answer so I text her and said our house was covered in smoke and asked if that was normal. Apparently she rushed out of Sacrament meeting and ran home to call us thinking the turkey was burnt to a crisp and possibly our house! We all thought I overreacted but then dad found the packet of jibblits still inside the turkey later that night and that HAD been burnt to a crisp........guess I'm not so crazy...... Another raccoon situation yes?!? ;)
*Speaking of turkey- Wow! The food was all so amazing! I tried dark meat for the first time and loved it. Everything was so delicious and it was fun to watch the master do all of her cooking!!!
*We hid all of Sam's favorite toys (which ended up being most of his toys) in the locked room downstairs. Kevin said he came down at one point and found Kris in there........BUSTED! Haha!
 
*And finally, the highlight of the evening (aside from the cool whip).....Mom's Epistle. Wow. I can't believe she got thru that. It was so perfect and so beautiful. Seeing the look on all the grand kids faces as she talked about each of them was priceless. I think everyone felt so incredibly special and so loved. It is a moment we will all never ever forget. We love you! There was just one problem with it though, we think you were missing a page......we found this and think you must have forgotten to read it so here you go..........

It's hard to put to words what an incredible person my mother is. I am grateful for how well she raised me. She has the ability to always know what was best for me and be a key influencer in all of my important decisions. I am constantly impressed and overwhelmed by the empathy and intuition that she possesses. She is an amazing listener and is never judgmental regardless of the situation. These are the qualities that make her an incredible mother.

As I have grown older it is fun to be able to talk about more grown up things like mortgages, retirement, and even cooking. No matter how old I get I still need to talk to my mom. She is always happy and willing to listen and talk and that means a lot to me. I am so thankful to have such an incredibly smart, fun, and compassionate mother! ~Clayton~

 I am grateful that Nancy has been a huge part of my life long before I was lucky enough to be a McDonald. Through primary, young women's, play dates with Beckee and real dates with Clayton, Nancy has been such a force for good in my life. She excels in building people up and offering advice when it is most needed.  When I graduated seminary Nancy gave me a journal to congratulate me. She wrote in the front of it saying, "I have loved watching you grow up. The best  years are ahead. Follow your dreams as well as your heart." The best years truly were ahead for me, and I'm so grateful that she continued to be a part of them.I love and admire her ability to see the best in people and her never failing optimism. She is part of the reason I am who I am today, and I am blessed to have her influence and love in my life. I love Nancy and I love being her daughter-in-law. ~Amanda~

  When I think of you the first word that comes in my head is selfless. You are constantly thinking of others and showing love to all those around you. We've probably talked every single day for the last who knows how many years and not once have you EVER complained about your problems or trials you are facing. If I ask about them you simply smile and laugh and brush them off and ask me about my day. I've never known anyone who lives life as full or as happy as you do. I look up to you in every way possible and hope that one day I will be as charitable and selfless as you. It amazes me the impact you've had on me through each stage of my life. I need you just as much now as I did back when I was running around in diapers! Every memory or thought I have you are right there with me. You are my best friend and I couldn't be more blessed or proud to be your daughter. I hope one day I'll be more like you! Love you mom :) ~Beckee~

  On a spiritual level, the biggest advice I've been given is to try and emulate my mother--to try and copy her example and be motivated to be like her in my adult life. I think that says it all. I know that Mom laughs when I tell her that I want to be just like her, but the truth is I think about her all the time and wonder what she'll do in certain situations. There are so many moments where I wish I could be as strong as her. She's always serving. Growing up, I remember the countless meals she made for others... and how her friends would always tell me how cheerful she was. Now being an adult, I realize how difficult it is to serve and keep a cheery attitude all the time. But Mom is the prime example of that and though I'll always try to live up to her example, I don't think I'll ever be able to match the goodness that emanates from her. But I can try! This Thanksgiving, I'm truly grateful for the blessing of having such good parents and their example really does continue to influence my life every day.  ~Morgan~


 Nancy is wise. She and Boo talk everyday. Everyday they find time to discuss, dissect, and analyze everything that has happened since the last time they spoke. Nancy knows (and for the last 7 years has known) just about every detail of my day to day life. Boo has never let anything from a possible career change to a sore throat go unreported during our entire marriage and Nancy has weighed in on everything. I have always loved this. Nancy has been a part of every major decision we have ever made. She has offered advice, shared in our frustrations and fears, and supported us at every turn. I love Nancy and all the love, listening, and wisdom she shares with our family... everyday. ~Kevin~

I love my mom and I am so glad she gave birth to me ;) It is hard to name one thing I love about Nancy. From the moment I met her I felt loved. She always listens, gives advise, but then lets you make your own decisions, whether they are the best or not, and still loves you. She is even listening when you don’t know she is. Nancy makes you feel like the best person you can be. She lifts you up all the time.  Nancy is not just a mother-in-law, she is a mother, a friend, and a confidant. I am so lucky to have her in my life. She brightens it. And I am thankful for the son she raised that I was lucky to marry. Nancy is an amazing woman. ~Preston & Rachel~

Alexis: I love Grandma McDonald because she buys us new clothes for every birthday. And that she gives me cool stuff, and she is nice.

 

Xander: I love Grandma McDonald because she gives us presents and give me pistachios at Christmas (and boy has he been wanting them lately) and she has the toys he wants.

 

Kennedy: I love Grandma McDonald because she is nice, and she buys me shoes.

 

The other night the Matriarch of our family provided one of the most unforgettable experiences of our lives. Nancy helped remind us of the true reason behind the season of thanksgiving. This comes as no surprise as I look back on my life and can see how she and the universe constantly work to conspire in my favor. Nancy is one who demonstrates unconditional love and concern for those around her … whether it is midnight trips to the riverton ER, backyard BBQs worthy of The Great Gatsby, or McDonald Family vacations complete with itineraries, swimming pools, and bacon for breakfast. Nancy is the reason we are more than relatives ... because of Nancy we are FAMILY. I am proud to be part of such an extraordinary tree … God willing may some of her goodness rub off on me! I love you Nancy!! I love you so much!!! ~Aaron~

 Nancy is the mother-in-law who has never felt to me like a "mother-in-law." She welcomes everyone into the family (whether by marriage, birth, or simply because we need more bodies at Crocktoberfest). Little did I know when marrying Marshall what a huge bonus his mother would be in my life too! I love the traditions. I love her cooking. I love her fun texts. Everything she does is about bringing her family close and keeping them there. Her most admirable quality that I am always observing and trying to emulate is her ability to love unconditionally and without judgement. I have always felt accepted and loved by her. There's a reason why everyone LOVES Grandma Nancy. :) ~Kris~

Your words on Sunday were inspired and beautiful! Thank you for writing them. They taught me a few things about you- 1. you are in tune with the spirit and always have been (excluding the Hawaii days) JK! 2. You know each of your children and grand children so well and are involved in the details of their lives. 3. Our names have always been and will always be safe on our lips. I have complete trust that you have my (and my families) best interests in mind. not just when we are with you, but always. 4. You sacrifice so much time, money, and emotional and physical energy to family. When at look at these 4 statements- I think that the same could be said that the Father and the Son possess these same attributes. You are my hero and example and everything about who you are teaches me about who God is and what I want to be like. Thank you for all you do, have done, and will do for me and my family! I love you! ~Marshall~

I guess you must have been too shy and modest to read that.........hehe ;)

I'm sad that I forgot to take pictures through out the night, especially of the table and how beautiful it all looked, but luckily Morgie took a few so here you go! 

Thank you Mom for such a wonderful night! We all love you so much!!! Happy Thanksgiving!