Editor's note: Post your own Thanksgiving photos here.
With two sons and their families, including 5 grandchildren, living in southern California, it is difficult for the
McDaniel and
Ancell families to get everyone together. This year they planned a get-together in the mountains. A huge house, large enough to accommodate 15, was reserved well in advance in the Winter Park area.
Alan and
Lauren McDaniel and their 3 little girls,
Keely (5),
Sydney (4) and
Abigail (10 mo.) arrived on Monday night.
Graham and
Candace McDaniel and their 2 boys,
Cameron (6) and
Chase (2-1/2), flew in on Wednesday morning. Joined by daughter
Carol McDaniel from Fort Collins, son
Kevin Ancell, wife
Michelle and daughter
Avery (5-1/2) of Aurora,
Joe and
Jan McDaniel, of Parker, set off for Winter Park on Wednesday morning, 22nd November.
On the way they stopped for lunch at the Buffalo Restaurant and Pub in Idaho Springs. The California kids were excited to see their first snow as they rode up Berthoud Pass, requiring a stop for a kid-photo shoot at the top of the continental divide at elev. 11,307 feet.
A wonderful time was had by all for three days. On Thanksgiving Day morning, four older grandchildren and their parents went to the most excellent Craft Store at the YMCA at Snow Mountain, where they each created ceramic works of art before returning to the house for a dinner of turkey and all the trimmings. The children had a blast sledding down a nearby snow covered slope, enthusiastically cheered on and pushed by their dads.
For Friday activities the younger parents took the little ones, except for Abby, the 10 month old, horseback riding. It was expected that one or two might get cold feet when they saw how big the horses really were, but they showed no fear and got right up in the saddles like real westerners. The two youngest ones each rode with a parent.
The rest of the time was taken up with playing games, watching football, and getting everybody in one place long enough to take the annual family photographs. This is a Thanksgiving that all will fondly remember. The grandchildren will talk about their new experiences; of snow, horses, crafts, and sledding for years to come. The grandparents enjoyed the sounds of a house filled with laughter and fun for three days.
It is hard to select the best photos from over 200 taken, but here are a few.