Thomason Tradition Compliments of Joel!

For the past 12 years (yep, Joel started doing this as our Christmas gift his Freshman year in college) we have had the fun privilege of going out to dinner compliments of Joel. We go sometime the week before Christmas and every year all six Thomasons have been in attendance. That shows just how special it is! We started going to the Cheesecake Factory the first 2-3 years and then Joel decided to mix it up and take us new places every year.  They have all been on the Plaza except the one year that we went to the Cheesecake Factory in Boulder, CO after Kyle graduated from Shelterwood. This year we went to the American Restaurant at Crown Center.

The service was first class! It started with pushing my chair in (that takes coordination to be in sync with lifting yourself up and them pushing in the chair at the same time) and then placing my napkin on my lap. We ordered our choices of courses and they brought them to us with an explanation once again what we were eating. It was very tasty but I couldn't tell you exactly what was in each dish. We should have taken pictures (we needed Dave to be there) because each dish was a work of art. We had the perfect table in the corner over looking KC, the ice skating rink,  the governor's Christmas tree and fountains, and Crown Center.

But what was better than the food and service was the sharing and laughs and tears. We reminisced about the highs and lows of the year. Joel graciously took the opportunity to affirm each one of us. Kyle shared his heart about our welcoming Nicole into our Christmas morning gathering. We talked about what was on the top of our "bucket lists." It filled my mother's heart to overflowing! Every year I cherish the time that we're all together.

This is one gift that we can all remember from year to year. I probably can't remember that I got a scarf or pajamas, etc last year for Christmas but I can always remember this gift of time and memories that Joel gives us each year. It is pricey (Joel is very generous and this year he said, "next year I'll actually be able to afford this. Ha!)...but really it's priceless!