It was nearing Thanksgiving but first we had office birthday celebrations for Sandra and Jennifer

On Thanksgiving day itself, we drove to Chestnut Hill and got out of the car and were greeted by Martha and then when we entered, Bill and Ben shook hands as Sayeh cooked and the turkey stood guard even as the salad and potatoes were prepared and Sam held the dog back not from Bill who only had eyes for the turkey.

In the next room, were gathered the assembled enjoying the warmth of the fire

as Joe and Sarah and Ed spoke and Ben and Jane watched as Suzanne and Jessie compared notes and more food began to appear available along with serving implements even as Jane delivered this dish (?cranberries) and the turkey once whole was starting to come apart as Bill teased it into sections with Ben and Jane watching as the process moved forward and the other meats were prepared which seemed to amuse Jane and Sam as stuffing yogurt sweet potatoes (sans marshmellows, a veritable sin) and potatoes were meant to motivate Bill as he continued his work on the turkey inspiring this film and these stills until it was time to declare victory move away from the other foods on and in the oven and the well named salt which amused me and serve the meal

which was well captured by Bill if this is what he saw before Deeksha and I posed cranberries were passed the assembled were amused and Deeksha and I posed again as did Ben and Jane and King Ed and Sarah the other end of the table Suzanne and Ginnie and the others who were happy but perhaps not as settled int heir chairs as I as as the available liquids seemed to need this addition from Bill as the candle flame suggested that it was time for dessert of which there were many choices

and so people made their way through the line and back to the table before we waddled into the kitchen to see the remains of the meal as the dog watched (no doubt waiting for leftovers) and turkeys and desserts were there to be enjoyed as Bill Ben and Jane Ed and Sarah Martha et al noted the arrival of this designer of spaces for big box stores, etc. and with a final visit to the remains of the carcass which might have been eaten we bade farewell to all and made our way home.

The next day we went to Trenton train station to fetch Dick, Fran, Jack and Emma and on our arrival home Jack and Emma became reacquainted with our family room as Ben Dick and Ed watched and after some play we adjourned to the dining room where I had my Uncle Sam's as Emma Jack Fran and Dick dined on variants of this as did Ben Suzanne and Sarah and after some moments of playing with the Wii we headed to the campus where we began with photos one this sculpture as Dick and Suzanne watched Fran take a picture that probably looks like this but not one of Dick in this hat and then after a few more photos we headed to the tigers

and after taking in the stadium from various views

it was time to explore the field in great detail as Sarah, Emma and Jack did including standing on the tigers and running for many touchdowns (he did go all the way)

and then we found these mats for pole vaulters and the exercise bikes before we visited the track and ran a variety of races

ending up with the obligatory phone booth picture before taking a picture of the new chemistry building and the Calder stabile on Jadwin plaza Back at home, champagne was poured and Matt Traylor arrived so that we could gather at the table for a feast enjoyed by Sarah and Ed Emma Dick Jane Matt and Fran and me before Jane and Matt headed off and Jon Huang arrived and then he and Jamie posed

The next morning found Jack and Emma in their pajamas as breakfast was made and Jack and Emma made their way tot he table where Mickey waffles were served but not necessarily eaten perhaps because the spirit of Thanksgiving was still with us as Ed had his breakfast Jack played on the computer and Sarah and Ben and Jane had their breakfast. An excursion to Terhune returned with a gingerbread house project which involved lots of vessels as Jack and Emma added their things to the house to the amusement of the assembled and as the work continued and the house was completed

leaving only the debate about whether it would go back on the train or stay here as Jane Ben Sarah Ed Fran Dick and Sara Just admired the work and its remnants and those of us here were happy to see the gingerbread house packed away for a train trip.