the thanksgiving marathon

SO being Americans here in a distant land we felt that it was only our obligation to share our favorite American holidays with our new New Zealand friends.  At first it started out as just having a few people over for Thanksgiving dinner on Saturday Nov. 28th, but as we began spreading the good news we found more and more of the people we wanted to be there were busy that night.  Thus began our venture of 2 Thanksgiving dinner with all of our friends here- I believe there was about 40 over Thursday and Saturday's feast!

Mashed potato central.

Yummy rolls!

Our livingroom soon turned into the kids playroom on Saturday afternoon.- Hayley and Faith were coloring,  Jules, Ava and Lucas were loving the little toy farm.

Our dear friends- 1st the Oamaru clan -Morgan not looking at the camera, Hayley Gareth and Lauren (the other American) all rounding off the corner of the table.  Morgan and Hayley are so awesome, Thomas knew morgan through Cornell, once we moved here Hayley (Morgan's finace) and I became fast friends.  They have been such a blessing to us.  Then there's Pam and Lucas, Dave, Ava and Jules and Rox and Charlie on the other end- Pam, Jules and Rox are all part of our Yummy mummy sports team- they let Thomas and I join even though we don't have toddlers.

Up the other side is- Fleur on the far end, Hannah and Ross, Ken and finally Craig (who goes with Pam and Lucas).  We met Ken and Fleur at church, Ken and Thomas have a common IPhone bond that is unbreakable- and Fleur and I just really enjoy spending time together, so it works out:)  Ross and Hannah also go to our church, they are an awesome couple and she recently opened a stunning clothing store in town.

Boys and their toys- we sent them off outside while we finished getting dinner ready.  The amount of treasures they returned with every 5 minutes were incredible.

It was truly a memorable thanksgiving, being surrounded by all the people that have befriended us and spending time together was a huge blessing.  We could not have asked for a more wonderful day, there is so much to be thankful for.