A Happy Thanksgiving at Lake Whitney

For the second year in a row, Dan and I were privileged to spend our Thanksgiving Day with Chris, Kelsey and the kids at a state park, and enjoy a wonderful outdoor feast. They set up camp on Wednesday and plan to stay in their cozy pop-up trailer until Saturday. Joining us, this year, was Jason (a.k.a. JDog), a long-time friend of the C. Judds. This year's setting was Lake Whitney State Park. It was a quiet and peaceful place for a day of thanksgiving. Well . . . as quiet as a day can be with two grandkids and three dogs. Across the road was another family with two children who turned out to be fun playmates for Clara and Robert.

Grandpa and I spent Thanksgiving night at a hotel near the camp ground, and returned to spend the morning with everyone on Friday. You see, our idea of roughing it is spending the night at the nearby Hampton Inn.

The Food

Clara and Robert helped me make the turkey's tail out of strawberries, bananas and grapes. Since Chris is allergic to poultry, this was the ONLY turkey we had on our Thanksgiving table. But we did have a delicious baked ham. Also on the menu were mashed potatoes and gravy, green bean casserole, a relish tray, rolls, pumpkin pie and cookies.

JDog was the chief fire pit cook, using his handy-dandy cast iron Dutch ovens over the fire. His specialties were corn bread and peach cobbler. He also made the mashed potatoes and warmed up the ham. 

Some say that the Tryptophan in turkey causes sluggishness and sleepiness in those who eat it. But even though there was no turkey on our table, sleep overtook these fellows after the meal.

Sunset.  During the daytime, it was fairly warm - at least warm enough if you were in the sunshine. I think it reached 60 degrees. In the shade it was chilly, though. And as soon as the sun set, it got downright COLD. I think it dipped to freezing overnight.

At the Lake

Clara was relentless in trying to skip a rock. She came close a few times, but never got one to successfully skip. 

Grandpa tried to convince us that he caught this fish.

Robert was fascinated with the dead fish, and had to poke at it a bit with a stick.

Searching for shells, bugs, worms, and any other creepy crawlies

Looking through his "binoculars"

Robert threw a rock in the water, and Max thought he should try to fetch it! He didn't get too far out, though, before getting a little panicked, and heading back to shore.

More Fun

I brought a couple arts & craft projects, including this M&M turkey project. Robert didn't want to put too many of the candies on the picture, because he had plans to eat the leftovers.

Kelsey brought a couple Indian headband kits. 

Isn't this a precious little face?!

Clara was surprised to see her Mama climb the tree behind her. Kelsey started to venture up a bit higher, but Clara got worried and warned her, "Don't fall, Mommy. I don't want you to die!"

The Deer

Whenever we drove in or out of the park, we saw deer alongside the road. As we were leaving today we pulled over and took a few pictures through the car window.

THANKS-Giving

We are truly thankful for so many blessings in our life. For our family, in both New Mexico and Texas; for our health; our home; our friends; our country; and our God and His providence - to name a few.