Thanksgiving 2009

I found these photos on my SIL Tiffany's computer. She's so good at documenting our family's life. I'm grateful, since I've been a slacker about that! We had 26 Idiart Family member over, plus the Mission President, another couple missionary, the APs and our ward Elders. And a friend. So our total was 35 people. It was fun, the food was good. These pics say it all:

Damian, Jared and Al (Pop) Idiart.

Annie, Rachel and Eliza Idiart.

Grandma Suzanne and Emma Suzanne. It looks like Emma is finally taller, even taller than the poof. And obviously sort of more psycho. She takes after her mother's side, sometimes.

Ben, Ashton and Josh Idiart. Bring on the Turkey!

Grandpa Al and his newest Grandbaby Nicole. She's just a few weeks in this photo!

Silly girls! Katrina, Elize and Rachel Idiart.

Damian with his Brothers: Aaron Nadauld and Jared & Justin Idiart.

My favorite pic of the day: Noah Nadauld and Josh. Noah ADORES Josh and Josh is Noah's buddy. They are cute together.

Thanksgiving with the Watkins

We spent Thanksgiving with our good friends, The Watkins. They have 5 wonderful children and 2 were home for the holidays. Another son and his family spent Thanksgiving with the other Idiarts at OUR house!! Here are a few photo highlights of our afternoon:

Our babysitter, Hillary (we brought her on the trip to help with Sarah's overall Sanity!) and the cutest little baby on the planet. We love that little Watkins boy!

The mother of all Watkins: Glenda . . . reading with Katrina. Katrina enjoyed the special attention and praise. Glenda is a teacher and had all sorts of fun games and crafts to keep the kids busy. Sarah enjoyed the coloring project more than the kids!

Damian and his best friend, Jim, wore the fruits of Sarah's coloring labors.

My kids think of Jim and his family as their own. They refer to Jim's wife as "Aunt Kate" and love their little boy like a cousin. Rachel and Katrina hefted him around on their little hips, when they could wrestle him away from Hillary.

Turkey does strange things to Damian!

And apparently, it has the same effect on Emma. Either that or everyone was sick of being in photos after I took about 500 at Disneyland!!

Right before we put my brother on the Greyhound back to St. George, he had a light sabre duel with Benjamin. Mostly, Ben just stands still and Eric does intense moves all over the yard that make Ben think he's really participating. And Eric runs into Ben's sword from time to time, to make it really entertaining.

Oooh, a rare shot of Ben CHARGING. The kids will miss Eric and his visits. He usually comes for 1-2 weeks a year and my kids really love him. He'll be going on a mission in 6 months, we can't wait, we're so proud of him!!

Last, but not least, Happy Thanksgiving to Betsy, the Watkin's dog. We love you all and thanks so much for the great feast and company. We miss you already, let's not wait 6 years for another visit, Bill and Glenda!

Happy THXGVG, don't forget sunscreen!

Today we are spending the day with our good friends, The Watkins of So. Cal. This cartoon of Thanksgiving on the beach seems appropriate, doesn't it? We've invaded their family get together with SEVEN IDIARTS and ONE BABYSITTER and ONE GOOLD (my little brother!)

Bill and Glenda Watkins have 5 children, all grown and/or married. Damian was roommates with one son, JIM at BYU. The two of them introduced their younger brothers, JustTea Idiart and Dave Watkins, who became best friends also.

I can't wait to see the Watkins family. I really love these people and have many fond memories of watching them surf, play waterpolo, swim . . . OH, and I flooded their toilet BADLY at Jim's mission farewell. That's a fond memory!!

I think being with the Watkins will trump Disneyland for Damian and that's the best part of all, I love to see him giddy with laughs.