This year my family and I spent Thanksgiving day (and the days surrounding) with some extended family. My cousin, Tim, lives just outside of the metro area with lots of room for the kids to run and adults to hang out and catch up on life.

Cousin Tim raises Fainting Goats. These goats have a genetic defect that causes their legs to immediately stiffen when they are scared or otherwise startled. They’re the cutest little things.

My parents, both recently retired, were able to join us this year for the celebration. Dad was put in charge of fixing the veggies for lunch. Here he is doing one of the things he does best; working a grill.

Inside, the rest of the food was being prepared.

After lunch, it was time to visit and catch up with each other.

Second cousins getting acquainted.

Once in a while, one of the goats finds a “leak” in the fence. Tim just scoops them up and puts them back in.

This is Tim’s dog Laredo.

Thanks Tim, for putting up with all of us this year. Time is always great when you can spend it with family.