Ken and I left Zephyrhills on Monday morning after he finished taking breakfast orders and collecting the money. By 8:00 in the evening we were in Hattiesburg, MS for the evening (that was 7:00 Central Standard Time which we changed to in the western part of the Florida panhandle). It was an exhausting day of driving for Ken - well over 500 miles -- but it put us more than halfway to our goal of Southlake, TX west of Dallas where Janet and Jack have their home. We would be seeing the them and our grandkids, Anders, Dagny and Karsten soon!! Tuesday we completed the drive arriving at their home around 5:00 pm. Anders and Dagny were at FarMor and FarFar's home so it was just Karsten waiting for us when we arrived but what joy to have time with him and his mom and dad for the evening.
Wednesday, we drove out to Terrell to the meeting point at the Prime Outlets where FarMor drove the kids so we could pick them up. They had been at their place since Saturday enjoying the woods and special time with them while Janet and Jack were working. (they had no school this entire week) I had a chance to play with the kids after supper, reading to Karsten, playing Parchesie, Tic Tac Toe and a new game with Anders, and then enjoyed listening to Dagny (1st grader) read to me. She was reading a fairy book which is actually at the 4th grade level but barely slipping up on words. Amazing!!!!
Thursday morning I was awake much earlier than everyone else so had time to do my PT exercises and then start working on the pumpkin and pecan pies I was making for the big meal today. By the time everyone was up they were ready for the oven and Jack was making pancakes for the kids and Janet was busy making some fantastic gluten free pancakes that she, Ken and I could enjoy.
Once the pies were done and breakfast cleared away, we were off for a little "Turkey Trot" at the local elementary school put on by a few of their friends. There were lots of kids and parents all wearing their numbers some who had already run and others running. Janet, Dagny and Karsten joined the runners
Ken and I walked the 1/4 mile oval four times ourselves getting a little exercise before enjoying all the wonderful foods that would fill the table later in the day.
Back at the house, Jack made some queso and tamales for snacking till dinner. Janet started working on the dressing and I enjoyed some outdoor play time with Karsten. The Lions game came on and became the focal point for Ken, Janet and Karsten.
By the time Ulf, Wenche, and John arrived it was pouring rain, the Lions had won their game and the turkey was near to being done. Janet was busy mashing potatoes, making gravy while I finished the prep for apple crisp. Wenche brought sweet potatoes that were to be served in the skin of a clementine and regular dressing for those who didn't want the gluten free dressing.
We had to take the requisite family photo with turkey and all the food and then settled down to dinner after each serving ourselves for yet another photo.
Our meal had to wait for half time in the Panthers vs Dallas football game as we all rooted on the Panthers who ultimately won that game.
After dinner we all pitched in and had the kitchen cleaned up in jig time so we could just enjoy more time together before Ulf, Wenche and John had to leave for their place. John will return to Austin in the morning - to his new home there. It wan't till then that we knew Dagny had made the centerpiece below with items she found at FarMor and FarFar's house while visiting there.
Jack and hid brother got into quite a discussion about who was taller so time was taken to measure them. John won out by possibly a 1/4 inch. Here Ulf is using a board that quickly had a level added to it to figure out the "winner".
What a wonderful day!!!!!!
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