11/20 - 11/28 minneapolis

In some ways America feels like yet another foreign country on our epic journey, but maybe that's just me growing up on the edges of America and now exploring "the middle" more (or, as I like to call it, "the heartland"). It was especially thought-provoking to land in Chicago, see the entirely-latina ground crew waiting to clean the plane, and hear over the loudspeakers "Bienvenidos a los Estados Unidos!" In Chicago.

But we had a grand ole time in the Twin Cities, in spite of the jetlag: a delicious turkey bbq'ed on a charcoal grille; 2 hours of shotgun blasting; T-day bowling (4 games of it); great football (and lots of commentary, esp the miracle BYU victory); movie time, play time, and story time; family picture all in blue; Trivial Pursuit; Fuddruckers; Mall of America; and, best of all, time with each and every member of the 19-strong Bill and Ruth Hassell clan. Thanksgiving is probably the best holiday of the year, and the Hassells sure know how to do it.

Back in the US of A, and what do we do? Mall of America, with a theme-park in the middle. Yes.

Diana and Andrew doing synchronized bowling.

Tim and Anna doing serious pose (and yes, recently transported from the 70s).

The entire clan (newest addition at the front) at Fuddruckers... mmm. Only surpassed by T-day itself.

Still at Fuddruckers. Pam, Elijah & Co. in front; Andrew, Sarah & Co. in the back. And no, we're not accidentally in matching outfits. Blue was the theme for the family picture and Fuddruckers was the reward.

Grandpa Bill and story time
Alex in unmissable gear and cleaning up with a 20 gauge, with Grandpa Bill teaching Brooke how to outshoot him in the background (which she did: 100%)
Me trying not to embarrass myself with the 12 gauge (love that pump action). Bruises all around the next day.