A Mellow Brick Road...: Thanksgiving in Old Vincennes

Today was our holiday adventure day! We were all up early, though preparations slowed us down and delayed our departure for Vincennes, still we were determined to allow nothing to damper our excitement for our journey. We had discussed taking a caravan down with Sister Kelly and Brother Aaron and Brother Sean Franky joining us, but Sister Kelly and Brother Aaron had commitments in Kokomo. Brother Sean Franky did call early and say he was game for the trip and would drive his own car down, following us. Daddy was excited that Sean could join us, though somewhat saddened that he would have to drive that long trip by himself (and also saddened that Sean had tentatively planned to spend Thanksgiving Day with Ariel’s family, but something happened that he learned from Ariel it probably would not be good for him to come to visit them—Daddy was very, very, very displeased with that news, but has learned to not meddle in his adult children’s lives; and Daddy recognized that we would have a better family gathering as a consequence of Sean joining us!). Sean assured Daddy he would be fine driving in his own car, and soon met us at the house and we were off!

We stopped by to pick up our camera at Grandma’s and say our goodbyes and thank her for agreeing to help take care of Allie and Arlo and Dora and Ella. Then we made a quick pit stop at McDonald’s for some road breakfast and coffee (not for babiesJ). Daddy called Sister Kelly and Brother Ryan Michael to wish them a Happy Thanksgiving along the way, and then focused on driving the long and winding roadJ.We didn’t stop again until about twenty miles outside of Terre Haute to get some goodies and stretchJ.

Daddy confesses there is something mystical about Vincennes, and even Mommy has adopted some understanding and feeling for the historic old city. When we arrived we made a stop for a photo-shootJ down by the Wabash river downtown, and then stopped by our traditional picturesque Old Cathedral and George Rogers Clark National Park and Memorial. We proceeded on to Aunt Terrie’s and were among the first to arrive, followed by Aunt Diane and Rico and Brie, Chrissie and Katie, and then Aunt Debbie and Uncle Mike and Abby and Sophie (what a beautiful little baby girl!!!—and her mommy, Cousin Abby looked great and fully recovered from having her first baby!!!) and Aaron. Grandma Betty was picked up by Aunt Diane and Uncle Brad (Rico) and Daddy assisted Rico in helping Grandma Betty inside the house---she is so frail and having such difficulty getting aroundL! Missy and Kellen (he has gotten so tall!) and Cory and his girlfriend also arrived (but were first to go, as Cory had to return home and prepare to work tonight).

We all settled in for an old-fashioned Thanksgiving feast and enjoyed time to visit and count our blessings for a wonderfully loving and mutually supportive family! And as always is the case, no sooner did our family gathering begin than time arrived to turn right back around and head for homeL. We made a stop (at our own risk) at Wal-Mart on the way out of town to pick up an additional children’s video for the return road trip to play in the mobile dvd player (what a treat that has proven to be for Bodhi and Buddha!), but by the time Sean and Daddy returned to the car both of the baby angels were sound asleep.