Each Year We Gather for the Gilbert Turkey Trot…

…and it gets bigger and more complicated.

And also more fun. With more money raised for our two charities.

Yow.

Preparation

Oh there is so much to prepare. I cannot speak for myself because I am not part of the “team,” but boy do I love that “team” that works magic to pull this off.

(That’s the only photo I got of their prep this year, with half of them gone, but hey, at least there’s something!)

Adjustments are made. There are always new “situations” to handle. New ideas to throw out there. New road closures are situated to make way for the crowds. Permits to apply for. Officials to help with traffic flow. Cones and barriers to place in the right places. Logistics get carefully studied and worked into place. Thousands of t-shirts are printed. The “Thankful Board” gets re-painted (by my brother-in-law every year…love you Paul!), and either my niece or Grace writes “I am Thankful for…”

The package pick-up is inspiring with everyone turning up to get their bibs and t-shirts…and to be together on Thanksgiving Eve.

Some day I’ll get my act together for a picture of the “big” earlier crowd.

And Then, The Big Morning Rolls Around

…and people begin to gather.

The Thankful Board starts out like this:

And then things start to fill right in.

With people as well as gratitude.

It’s so interesting how much happiness comes when people are together, in the gorgeous weather, on a day filled up with gratitude.

Dave is the announcer at the finish line and he does such a great job.

Families come together. Both figuratively and literally.

Some wear tutus, matching family t-shirts, turkey hats…you name it.

Our family ran the Fun Run all together this year.

With Lucy leading the pack.

Although there was not much “running” going on with this crowd:

So I ran part of the 5-K with Josh when I could sneak away for a minute.

Yes, that running on Thanksgiving is good for the soul.

Lucys’ friends show up and are so awesome.

Dave’s family all show up to support and help too.

Oh how GRATEFUL I am for them!!

A whole crew of missionaries came to volunteer as well.

This year Max’s flight to come join us didn’t get in until during the race so Abby ran to get him and it was such a fun reunion:

But you can tell who the real center of attention is…

Man, do we ever love that Murphy!

I love them all so much it sometimes hurts.

Along with my missionary we missed dearly.

By the end the board looks like this:

And it’s all taken down and brought back to store.

And the “team” stays for hours to put everything back together again while the rest of us try to cope with the chaos awaiting us at home: hosting Thanksgiving dinner, with a torn-apart house trying to get ready for the early turkey trot.

And it’s all just the best way to spend Thanksgiving morning.

Each year I get more and more grateful for these “magic-makers” who pull it all together.

Love you all forever.

I love this tradition.