Sandstroms
Charity and Rich Sandstrom and daughters, Kathrina and Arabella, went to Hutchinson for a family dinner at the Friendship Mennonite Manor.
The Sandstroms expected to gather with about 25 relatives “for a time of fellowship, fun, turkey and board games.”
Larsons
Beloit was the destination for Greg, Gwen, Alex, Luke and Aaron Larson. The family joined Greg’s parents, Don and Jackie Larson, and Greg’s sister’s family, David, Kim, Liza and Randi Cooper of Salina, for a traditional meal and plenty of fun as the younger girl cousins are always entertained by the boys.
While there, they loaded up furniture for their new house near Americus. The furniture, including the dining set from Greg’s late great-grandparents, Fid and Neta McPherron of Clarinda, Iowa, was being stored until they had room. With that, the family is on the home stretch of getting settled in. They hope to have both Greg’s and Gwen’s families here for Christmas.
Phillipses
Chris and Connie Phillips of Emporia traveled to the Topeka home of their daughter Rebecca and son-in-law Jeff Wood for this year’s “Thanksgiving” feast. Friends from the Kansas City area also drove over for the day.
The usual turkey, homemade dressing, potatoes and lots of side dishes along with pumpkin cream cheese roll and other pies were on the table for all. Everyone brought a dish, but Rebecca loves to cook so there was plenty and she again surprised the group with a new recipe. Rebecca’s invitation came with only one request: “Dad, come in your pickup with a tall ladder to help us hang Christmas lights on the house after your nap.”
Nance
Brandy Nance spent the holiday with her mother, father and brother in Wichita. Other guests included Mom’s dog, Twister, and bird, Eddie. Nance denies responsibility for what may happen when dog and bird are in the same room. Nance and her mother have an insane tradition of shopping for the Thanksgiving feast on Thanksgiving eve. They team up as the great mother and daughter duo fighting and scratching their way through the hungry crowds. Thanksgiving dinner consisted of Mom’s fruit salad, Mom’s dressing, Nance’s turkey and cranberry salad. The rest of the day was spent watching television, prying the bird out of Twister’s mouth and swapping childhood stories with Nance’s brother.
Rangels
Alicia Rangel and her husband, Isaac Rangel, spent Thanksgiving day with her Uncle Jay and Aunt Jean Pearson at their home in Neosho Rapids, starting the day around 11:30 a.m. and “ending when they could eat no more,” she said.
Other guests were Alicia’s mother, Shirley Appelton; Alicia’s brother, Asa Phillips; her dad, David Phillips; her grandmother, Juanita Phillips, who traveled all the way from Midland, N.C., to attend; her uncle, Ron Phillips; and cousins, Justin and Ryan Pearson and Codi Scott. A special guest was Jerry Weishaar, a friend of the family and a regular at J’s Carryout.
Rangel said “every dish is special to our family — Jean serves the best homemade feast. The roast turkey, stuffing, fluffy mashed potatoes, gravy, green bean casserole, sweet potatoes, corn, rolls and a variety of desserts. My grandmother and mother make the best pies, which included pumpkin, sour cream raisin, coconut cream, pecan, key lime and usually a couple of fruit varieties. There were too many special dishes to mention all.
“Before we begin to feast, everyone gathered in the kitchen. Surrounded by the wonderful aromas of the food, we gave thanks and prayed for the family, friends, health and feast we are blessed to receive,” she said.
After dinner, it was time for the annual football game. The guys gathered outside and divided into teams (youngest versus oldest). The elders from last year’s team were Issac and Justin, who faced the youngsters, Ryan and Asa. The younguns prevailed, so this year Issac and Justin were out for revenge.