Thanksgiving with the Flindts II

The day after.  On the Friday after Thanksgiving, we went shopping and sightseeing in downtown Seattle.  Our first stop was Target.

While Kirsten finished her shopping at Target with Lisa, the rest of us hiked several blocks, through Pike Market, to the Olympic Sculpture Park.  The light shown on the copper wall of a sculpture perfectly to catch our reflections.

As we walked back to Pike Market along Puget Sound, we could see barges in the harbor.

The Flindts love dogs, and there is always a particularly cute or beautiful dog to notice.

On the ride back to Sammamish, across the long bridge from Mercer Island, I snapped this photo of Mt. Rainier out the car window.

On Friday night, we ate Thai food at Noodle Boat in Sammamish, and then Lisa treated us all to a performance of "My Fair Lady"  at the Issaquah Theater.  It was a highlight of the weekend!

 We had a good-bye lunch at Sammamish's own Mod Pizza on Saturday, before Dave and I, Michael K, Spencer, and Grant headed home to Idaho and Utah.  The Mod Pizza crust was too thin, the kids pointed out, but the toppings made up for that defect.  Lisa and I especially liked the artichoke and veggie pizza.

Thanksgiving with the Flindts I

 Michael K, Spencer, and Grant joined the mass migration home for the holidays, as Dave and I drove them Utah to Seattle.  Michael K has been at BYU Idaho at college, and Spencer and Grant are at BYU Provo.  The Flindt family reunion at an Issaquah restaurant was joyful. 

 On Thanksgiving morning, Grant, Kirsten, Bryce, and Alyssa ran in the Sammamish Turkey Trot, a 5K race along Sammamish's main street.  The sponsor (picture below) owns a local running store at which the track and cross-country teams buy their running shoes.

 The Turkey Trot finances scholarships, including one of the scholarships that Grant is using at BYU.

 The cross-country coach is so popular that his teams put his picture on their running shirts.

 Bryce is fast, and he runs on the varsity team at his middle school.

 Alyssa is also fast.  She qualified for nationals through her running club.

 Kirsten has gone to state in cross-country for Eastlake High School four years in a row.

 Michael was the first of the talented Flindt runners.

 Back to work.  Lisa put the 24 lb. turkey in the oven before 7 a.m., and Dave and I, as her helpers, ironed tablecloths and napkins, and cooked stuffing, sweet potato casserole, cranberry relish, and raspberry jello salad.

 The turkey cooked twice as fast as predicted, so dinner was on the table by 11:30 a.m.!

 Alyssa made owl decorations at her Primary Activity Days.

 Finally--a feast!

Grandma Rose's Birthday Party

 On November 22, 2015, we threw a 103rd birthday party for Grandma Rose.  Unfortunately, she couldn't attend.  We served the dishes Grandma would have served for fancy friends if she were here.  Camille brought the appetizers--hot tomato juice topped with unsweetened whipped cream and cream puffs stuffed with chicken salad.  The entrée was beef stroganoff with dill weed served over rice and accompanied by creamed corn (brought by Grant and Jamie Calder); green salad with fresh grapefruit, avocado, and poppy seed dressing; fresh fruit (brought by Scott and Jean); and Grandma's green jello salad (with crushed pineapple, nuts, evaporated milk, and mayonnaise).  Dessert was a slice of angel food cake served with lemon meringue and sweetened whipped cream.  After dinner, we watched a screening of Grandpa Grant's photographs.

 Mia enjoyed having the attention of her great big cousins, Grant and Spencer.

 Jono and Grant are good friends.

 The kitchen was packed with cooks and advisors.  Ezra stood back and watched the action.

 Spencer and Grant brought their friend, Callie, from Sammamish.  She was a generous helper.

 Scott and Jean came with their sons, Scott Jr. and Grant, their daughters-in-law Tara and Jamie, and with all the kids!

 Scott Jr.'s son, William, has a new baby sister, Phoebe Ann.

 Heidi is a great sous-chef.  She put together the grapefruit and avocado salad.

 Scott and Jean provided an array of fruit befitting Grandpa Grant's garden (or, just maybe, excelling it...)

 Steve has been doing a lot of traveling lately, and it was good to have him with us.

 Grant is a devoted BYU Cougar, but he's also thinking about what Eastern Europe will be like, on his mission.