Happy Thanksgiving!

The Gifford's spent a quiet day at home for Thanksgiving this year. We got out of bed when we felt like it. (For Calvin that was about 11:15) We tried to wear the dog out during the day. (Dad took him for a run in the morning, and Paige and dad ran him around at the school in the afternoon) We had plenty to eat. Too much in fact. The Turkey was great! (Dakota even got his own bowl of turkey) The Mashed Potatatoes were great! The new corn muffin stuffing was great! The jello, the green been casserole, the sweet potatatoes, all great! (Thanks Mom!) Everybody had a part in making the dinner. (Kendra made rolls, Calvin made the sweet potatoes topping, dad made Pecan Pie, Paige made Apple Pie, of course mom did the rest) And having 4 pies available to 5 people was a little too much as well (Chocolate, Pecan, Apple, Chocolate, and of course Pumpkin) We ate the pie while we watched the movie "Evan Almighty". (Good movie by the way. I liked the message)

Before we ate our dinner Paige read Psalm 95 and we gave thanks to God for everything we have, which of course, all comes from him. During dinner we talked about the things we are thankful for in the last year (No "stuff" allowed)

We do have a lot to be thankful for:

• Our friends and family who add so much to our life



• Our gifts and abilities for which God wants us to use to help others



• A purpose for living



• Health to continue to climb and hike (I can't take this for granted anymore like I used to)



• Our dog



• Our teachers (that was good to hear)



• The ability to make choices (That was Paiges. What a great thought, considering in many countries having the freedom to make their own choices isn't a given. Thanks to our awesome troops!)



• Our bibles and the freedom to read them and freely live out our faith here in the USA



• Our jobs and opportunity to learn in school



• The opportunities to spend time together as a family, especially here in beautiful Colorado
  

Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving Day as well!

The Giffords (Dave, Rose, Calvin, Kendra, Paige,.......and Dakota)