The Dynamic Duo

After hosting Thanksgiving dinner in Carlin, NV for the past two years, the venue was moved to Howe, ID, where UltraMom and Dad used to live (for 30 years or so). Of course, a great time was had by all, with the added luxury for UltraMom of not cooking a turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, pies, or anything else, for that matter. The roll call for dinner at Bill and Patty’s on Thanksgiving Day:
Howe Residents
Bill (UDad’s brother) and Patty
Chuck (UDad’s other brother) and Joy
Tom Kime, longtime friend of family
Corey and Jessica, friends of Bill and Patty’s
Residents of other Places:
Colorado: Kayce, Patty’s daughter
Carlin, NV: UltraMom, Dad, Murphy and Rowdy
Carlin, NV: Pat, (UDad’s sister)
Pocatello, ID: Heather, UltraMom and Dad’s daughter
Idaho Falls, ID: Jimbo, son (the baby)
Nashville, TN: Johnny, that snobby law school student
Idaho Falls, ID: Chenoa (Pat’s daughter), and Mike
Cheyenne, WY: Billie (Pat’s son) and Brandi, as well as their nephew Daltin and Niece Kiana
Boise, ID: Nicki (Bill’s daughter) and Chad

So, how many were going to St Ives, or Thanksgiving dinner? I count 22.
Some of us stayed with the Howites, (UltraMom and Dad, Johnny, Jimbo, Pat, Nicki and Chad, Kayce and Heather for one night) while others just came out for the day (Mike and Chenoa) or got motel rooms in nearby towns(Billie and Brandi)
Lots of pinochle was played with various and sundry partners, and one night Umom managed to get up going games of Catchphrase, Chronology and Cranium. Of course all was accompanied by lots of snacking.
Finally, on Friday afternoon, the much anticipated football game was played in Bill and Patty’s yard. The football field was a little short, with friendlier goal-running topography on one end, so all new plays originated from the other end. UltraMom had planned to capture the game cinematically as she had in years past , but in the end, was needed to even up the teams and provide a counterpoint for 8 year old Daltin. It went something like this:Nephew Billie: “Okay, whoever picks Daltin, the other team has to take Aunt Kathy. I choose Jim.” The final teams were: Billie, Jim, Nicki and Daltin against Mike, Chad, Johnny and UltraMom. Billie’s brainiac play mainly consisted of hurling the ball into the end zone where Jim would elbow opponents out of the way and catch the pass for a TD. Nickie was no slouch, though, and made her fair share of catches and TD’s. Daltin even had a few. They were no match however for team UltraMom. Umom herself managed to elude the persistent Daltin to score a TD or two. Gotta admit, though, mostly it was the combined skills of her teammates who wracked up the narrow victory.
Actually, a much better game than the Boise State-Hawaii game turned out to be.
All in all, a good time with family, which is what the holiday is all about.

UltraMom, home for the holidays

Next Time: UltraDad moves into his new digs.