We were fortunate enough this year to spend Thanksgiving with 35 of my favorite people in the world. We traveled 8 hours by car to Chicago and froze our little toes off but it was so much fun!
With Thomas' encouragement the family signed up for a turkey trot.
I was so proud of my two turkey's who braved the cold, icey air to run a mile. They were excited and they even got to run it with some of their cousins, one of whom placed 4th in their age bracket and the other of whom may have puked first thing up the hill and still came in with a great time. I will go ahead and let you decide which cousin did what.
I've been really impressed with Thomas' determination to be a runner, up until about a year and a half ago he really had never done it before, and since that time he has disciplined himself and has been able to complete 2 marathons, a few other races, and has bought quite a few tennis shoes....I like that last part the most because I think he might be starting to understand my shoe obsession...well a girl can dream right?
Anyhow I wanted to show my support to him and let him know how proud of him I was by sacrificing myself in a 4 mile run. I hate running, I really do, but I love Tommy and I'm so glad to have had this experience with him, even though he smoked me and we had no "running" time together to experience. :)
So he really did motivate quite a few in the family, a long with the young kids, his sister and sister in law ran, as well as both his mom and dad. It really was quite fun and we might, and I say MIGHT, make it a tradition for the Gearhart family.
Rainier was in absolute heaven with so many boy cousins....
12 to be exact.
He really did keep busy the entire time.
He had plenty of wrestling time built in, wether it was with his uncles, with his cousins, or my absolute favorite, the two 2 year olds with their grandpa, both jumping off of him as hard as they could.
The great occassion of why we all got together wasn't because of Thanksgiving at all.
Thomas' youngest brother, and youngest sibling returned home from his mission in Lithuania, and the 35 turned to 36 allowing all 8 of the T. Gearhart kids to be reunited after 2 years. It really was very cool and so much fun.
I am always amazed at how much work Thomas' family will put into being together. Everyone traveled far, took expenses and were happy to do it. They (WE) actually really do LOVE being together, honest its true. I always take home great memories from these trips, like bowling games, Claire doing all the boy cousins hair in a "hair shop", Rainiers cousin his same age riding hime like a pony, Alli and her cousin feeding the chickens and her getting chicken poop all over my sweathsirt, and the list goes on...But the best thing I take home from these trips are the feelings of love and admiration that I have for my in-laws. They are a remarkable family that is loyal and loving and it makes me so proud to be a Gearhart.
3 comments:
Those kinds of get togethers are so much fun for the kids--that's why I try to do as much with family as I can. We always had cousins and family for holidays (especially Thanksgiving) and I love those memories, and want my kids to have those too. I just didn't realize as a kid how much work those get-togethers are for moms. :)
That is so great about the running. You all did look like you were freezing, yet happy. I can remember running in the freezing and trying to remind myself to be happy (not an easy task).
Sorry I haven't emailed back yet. We just got back from vacation and I will move it to the top of my list next week. Love ya!
What a fun trip...minus the running!! Brrrrrr.
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