Every year at Thanksgiving, my dad’s side of the family gets together for a family reunion. Pretty much each year we have it in a different place, choosing one that’s fairly central to everyone driving from all over the States. This year we stayed at South Toledo Bend State Park (on the Louisiana side). It’s a beautiful area, especially this time of year with the leaves changing, the ducks migrating, and families missing each other.





We gathered Wednesday afternoon, staying in the area through the weekend, just enjoying each others’ company, hiking through the woods and even an impromptu maternity photo session with Melanie, due with our second in January – doesn’t she make a lovely mama?





We ate lunch at the “Fin and Feather Resort” on the Texas side of Toledo Bend and then cruised the lake on a rented pontoon boat, being a nuisance to the ducks, eating, fishing, and just admiring the scenery.




















On Friday, we rode down to Newton, TX (actually Cedar Grove) to my cousin Dan’s place for lunch and more fellowship. Dan really knows how to throw a family party, complete with fishing pond, swan paddle boat, outdoor fire pits, and plenty of food Here’s a photo of most everyone that was able to attend this year, more to follow in the gallery below: