First Brent and Sadie Goulding family Thanksgiving!

Some years Brent and I have been lucky and had our anniversary actually fall ON Thanksgiving Day.  2012 was one of those years.  18 years ago we were married on a snowy, cold November morning.  And in those 18 years, we have never had Thanksgiving without at least part of our extended family.  We switch off between the Gouldings and the Taylors, but being in Elko on a Goulding year where everyone was spread out and doing their own thing, left us to eat ALONE.  Strange!  I was excited, though, to have to make all the food myself for once!  I've been pregnant or nursing or had several babes so many years, that I have been assigned just jello before.  So to go from jello alone-- to turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, green bean casserole, homemade croissant rolls, pretzel salad, green bean casserole, yams, and several desserts was quite a stretch!  What I quickly realized as I did most my prep the day before, was that I don't have enough dishes to do so much food!  I had to get creative with my baking/servingware.   Here we are, all ready for a scrumptious dinner, just the 9 of us.

As we sat down to eat and pray, we decided to go around the table and share what we were most thankful for.  I was the last to go.  I couldn't hold back tears as I looked at this amazing bunch of people.  We have been so blessed!  I have the seven best children I could have ever hoped for.  I told the kids that 18 years ago, if I had been able to get a glimpse of this Thanksgiving Day scene and all these precious faces looking at me, I would not have known what to think.  Seven healthy kids, a husband who has turned out to be pretty great himself, a nice home to live in, a good job that supports us, the gospel--I can't even stand it.  Pinch me, I'm dreaming!

It was a great day filled with eating, resting, playing, eating some more, and Black Friday shopping.  Brent had to go in to Walmart that night to take his order for the next day.  We decided to make it an anniversary date.  Another dream come true: I've always wanted to spend my anniversary Black Friday shopping at Walmart!  I can die happy.

And I'll tell you, these babes were sure happy with these monster rolls.  A triple batch for this group!

A great Thanksgiving in Elko.  Number one of hmmmmmm.......?