November 27

We spent our Thanksgiving much like we spent it in '23 and '24.

Abby, Brady, and I got up early to take part in the Tri Valley Turkey Trot. The kiddos jogged the 10K together --their first-ever-- and I took in the 5K solo. We all finished, me in about 49 minutes (which is probably my slowest time ever, but I haven't jogged or exercised particularly aggressively in months) and Abby and Brady in about 63. The dynamic duo finished strong; I felt like I could throw up and/or pass out at any moment. But like I texted my brothers in our annual Thanksgiving Day thread, I finished. And I didn't die.

With our calories for the day pre-burnt, Adam picked us up and took us home. I zonked out in an easy chair to the sounds of the Packers/Lions game on TV. And then we all piled into the Explorer at 2:30 to drive to Adam's parents' house for dinner. The food was delicious, from the turkey to the cheesy mashed potatoes to the cheese rolls (a long-time staple in my fam!) to the snickerdoodles (and much more), and it was good to catch up with extended family.

So for all of that --for fun runs and family and the existence of a day fully devoted to the idea of thankfulness-- I am grateful.