Snow in MV!
Thanksgiving day at Mary's home
Gustin's in front of their home
This year for the Thanksgiving holiday we traveled to Seattle to visit family and friends. We spent the first part of the week with friends in Maple Valley. We stayed with the Moulton's and they were so great to have us for 3 or 4 days. We had so much fun and it was great to get back and see everyone even though we had only been gone for 3 months. We picked up with everyone right where we left off and had a wonderful time. The weather was a little crazy but made us feel at home. A snow storm blew through and the entire Seattle area received several inches of snow. Snow always shuts down the city so the kids were out of school and we had more time to play with everyone! I set up play dates with all our kids buddies so they could see most of their friends while we were there. Our friends are so great and set up a big multi-FHE night for us too. The Moulton's hosted some 10 or so families, and all their kids, just so we could spend time with them! We are so grateful for that and appreciate their sacrifice for us. While we were there the girls and I had a chance to go out and celebrate Kira's b-day. She was so nice and decided to celebrate late so I could be there. We went out to breakfast to our fav place, the Sunrise Cafe in Auburn. We enjoyed a nice breakfast of good food and good friends. At the end of our breakfast we were getting ready to leave and Coleen Gustin received a phone call telling her that her home was on fire. We rushed out of the restaurant and got her back home as quickly as possible. It was so heart breaking to see this happen to our dear friends and we felt so helpless. She was told that her family was out and safe but that the garage had caught fire from a space heater. Todd had tried to put it out but it just grew and grew. The fire department came and eventually put the fire out. The fire was devastating and ultimately destroyed the entire home. The garage was completely fire damaged and the rest of the home had severe smoke damage and not much could be saved. They are struggling each and every day to come to terms with this loss but I know they have the love of the Savior with them and the love of all their friends. I know they will make it through this trial and be stronger for it. We continue to pray for them each and every day! This was a difficult trip in many ways but I will forever thank my Heavenly Father for the blessing that it was to be there for my dear friend and help her even if it was only for a few days. They are now in a beautiful rental home and will be until their home is rebuilt. I feel at peace now knowing that they have a place to call home now and that they have a home coming to look forward to.
We spent the last half of the week up north with Jeff's family. We stayed with Mary, his mom, at her home and enjoyed a beautiful and yummy Thanksgiving. His brother Derek, and girlfriend Stephanie, were there, along with his Uncle Jimmy, and Grandparents Leo and Kathy O'Dore. We loved staying with Grandma and the kids had a great time. We took the kids to see a movie the day after Thanksgiving, Tangled. It was so cute and we all loved it. We stayed until Sat. morning and then drove back home to Star. I had to be back to church to teach a lesson so we needed to be home on Sat. night. The weather was crazy and it took us several hours longer than it should have but we made it home to snow on the ground and to find our home safe and sound.
It was such a blessing to be with friends and family for the holiday and we are so grateful for this trip. Thanks to all who housed us and took such good care of us! We love you.
As usual I find myself saying that I wish I had taken more pictures but that's all I have. :)
