Thanksgiving Playlist

During this year, we’ve found it fun to make a playlist for holidays. Here’s our Thanksgiving 2020 playlist:

Come, Ye Thankful People Come - Simple Hymns featuring Leigh Nash

Crowded Table- The Highwomen

Waiting On the World to Change- John Mayer

Home- Michael Buble

Home- Phillip Phillips

Kind and Generous- Natalie Merchant

Hello- Adele

Memories- Maroon 5

I’ve Got Plenty to Be Thankful For- Bing Crosby

Lovely Day- Bill Withers

At This Table- Idina Menzel

What Wonderful World- Louis Armstrong

Autumn in New York- Billie Holiday

Thanksgiving Theme (Peanuts)- Vince Guaraldi Trio

Gratitude (Remastered)- Beastie Boys

Wild Honey Pie- The Beatles

Thank God I’m a Country Boy- John Denver

Take Me Home Country Roads- John Denver

Blessed- Thomas Rhett

Blessed- Martina McBride

I Could Not Ask for More- Sara Evans

Over The River and Through the Woods- Goofy

Doxology (feat. David Crowder Band)- Passion

Come Into His Presence- Don Moen

Give Thanks to the Lord- Keith Lancaster & The Accapella Group

Doxology- Keith Lancaster & The Accapella Group

Great Is Thy Thankfulness (Accapella)- Anthem Lights

He Has Made Me Glad (I Will Enter His Courts)-Maranatha! Kids

I Will Bless Thee Oh Lord- Annie Herring

Thank You Lord (feat. Thomas Rhett)- Chris Tomlin

Thank You Lord (Intro)- Chris Tomlin

Count Your Blessings- Kids Choir

Red Dirt Road- Brooks & Dunn

What would you add?

Goodbye Grandpa Johnson

We lost my grandpa on Friday and his funeral was today. I’m praying for my family during this difficult time! I will miss hearing him say, “Hi, Miss Lucy!” every time I saw him. I never knew why he called me that, but it was a special nickname for only me. I know my fondness for classic country music and camping comes from him. He was 94 and a WWII vet. He was a great gardener and loved watching baseball. He loved his grandkids and greats! As was pointed out today his commitment to God is to be admired. We just celebrated last month with my grandparents on their 70th wedding anniversary. Thanksgiving was the holiday we spent with them until they couldn’t host anymore, and I definitely learned to be thankful for family.

I feel like I can add a few more details here as I’ve been reflecting on Grandpa’s life. He was very quiet. Honestly, while there are so many memories with him around, but I don’t know much about his life, and never felt super close woth him. Even yesterday at the funeral not much was shared about his life growing up, where he worked, what he liked, etc. I’m sure that’s on me for not asking those questions, but still highlights the fact that we can be around people a lot and still not know a lot about them. I also had a rough childhood in a lot of ways because of my dad’s struggles, and I think some of those things would have been shared if things were better. I know he was kind and loving, loved God, and my grandma and family so maybe that’s what’s important? I’m definitely thinking about this more as I interact with others who are still here. Something I’m going to do better for our kids is not take the time for granted and share memories with them!

todd's blue and gold banquet 2019

Tonight was Todd's Blue & Gold banquet. It's the time when the scouts get some of their badges and rank advancements. This year's theme was Nerf! Todd is always fun to watch with his scouts. He really comes into his personality when he's around his friends. His favorite part about scouts is getting to tell jokes. Chris has gotten to wear some of his old scout stuff, and I know his dad would be so proud of both of them!

Chris participated in a demonstration for Friends of Scouting

Chris was recognized for his participation as Tiger Den Leader

Todd got to light the candles representing elements of Scouts

Todd gave Chris a pin, and Chris gave Todd his Tiger badge.

Reading something about each level of Scouts.

clay center fun

We had a free Saturday with decent weather, and finally, everyone was well. So, we decided to load up and drive over to Charleston to check out the Clay Center for the day. We had a wonderful time! We've had someone sick in our family every week since we walked in the door after Christmas. With day to day business and the dreary winter weather we've been really needing just a day to get out and do something fun. Elle had been last year on her field trip, but none of the rest of us had.

A water room is always a big hit with the cubs!

The music rooms were pretty fun too!

We got lunch there, but we learned that you can take food in so we'll do that next time.

This structure goes from the bottom floor to the third/top floor. Todd loved climbing it!

The place we spent the most time was the little town.  Copper loved this area! He had so much fun on the fire truck and police motorcycle.

I'll be shocked if Todd doesn't become a police officer when he grows up. He seemed to love playing on the cycle too!

However, Todd and Copper spent a ton of time in this little pretend mechanic shop. Copper loved to move the tires around and pretend he was changing them.

I love that Todd can instantly make friends with someone!

The biggest kid had fun too!

I can totally see Reese being a doctor. She played a long time taking care of these babies.

This was an "MRI machine" they could scan the babies with.

They had a house building area, energy zone, vet clinic, theater, grocery store, and diner too. There's so much we'll have to go back again.

I love that there were books everywhere!

WVU was also there showing off robots and other tech, as well as other activities from a lot of their science departments. Todd like the marbles and marshmallow building. The girls like the chemistry table where they got to draw with sharpies, and the biology table where they made bracelets. It was such a cool activity. Different biological features, such as eye color, detached ear lobes, hitchhikers thumb, etc., determined which color of bead you put on. 

It was a great day, and we even caught one of the kids saying that!