Thanksgiving weekend we headed up to our homeland to spend the last Thanksgiving with my parents before their mission. But first, early Thanksgiving morning a few of us decided to run the annual Human Race 5k. All proceeds go to the Utah Food Bank, so it is a very worthy event especially this time of year. This is the group we gathered to run with, my brother Jon with his wife and kids, sister Liz with her husband, her father-in-law and friends. I am the thin-blooded desert dweller bundled up in several layers, wearing the black hat and holding a cup of hot chocolate. It was pretty cold, but not nearly as freezing as the blizzard conditions the year before!

Anyway, running a quick 5k definitely made me feel better about the gluttony that the weekend held.

That Sunday right before church my parents were set apart as Elder and Sister Jefferies. This photo was taken right after, with 8 of the 10 of us and our spouses and kids.

My parents spent 2 weeks in the MTC then headed to France for the next 18 months. They are very excited about this mission. My dad served there when he was younger, and is fluent and completely in love with the culture. My mom is definitely along for the ride! We miss them lots, but are happy they were able to go. Here they are the morning they flew out.

Now to plan a trip to France to see them within the next year and a half..........