Turkey Day!

Thursday was, of course, Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving and I... we have had a rocky relationship. I have always wanted to love Thanksgiving. I mean, theoretically, there really should be no problems with it, as a holiday. Unlimited turkey? Gooooood! Grandmas stuffing? Goooood! Time off work? Goooooood! Alas, I have always hated Thanksgiving. To me, it was like, go be bored at Grandmas with annoying relatives and get some pie out of the deal. I longed for when I got married and only had to spend half a day at Thanksgiving. Then, I moved away, and discovered what a miserable thanksgiving really was like. I longed to hear my annoying aunt yammering and making awkward small talk with cousins I saw once a year. I wanted to have awkward small talk with anyone, really, and just not have to eat alone. Last year was my first T-day home, and it was seriously perfect. So, an enjoyable Thanksgiving is a brand new thing to me, but I was looking forward to it. I planned to go early to help my pretty grandma cook, cause she recently had surgery and had limited mobility in one arm.

So, before I left, I was apron-ready and prepared to cook: (Thanks to my madre for the most excellent apron)

So. We cooked. We whipped. We baked. We made a fabulous spread. I didn't take a single picture of the set table because..well, I was busy setting it.

Mom and Kelsey talking during dinner. When I took this, Kels was saying: 'And, My Little Ponies, are, like, soooo totally AWE-some!' I adore her.

 

THE cutest grandpa eva, carving us some more delicious turkey. Also being oblivious to my paparazzi ways.

Mom and Annie doling out the good stuff: (AKA pie. and whipped cream hand whipped by the resident whipping expert. ME!) While I was whipping the cream, me and my mom discussed if there are people in the world that have cool whip, and not like, real whipped cream on Thanksgiving. If you have one of those deprived, Cool-Whip-havin' families, I offer you condolences. Real whipped cream is where its at. On a piece of my grandmas pumpkin pie? YES, please! Best.thing.ever.

Two words: Food. Coma.

 

Ethan and Jules playing with their electronic devices. Haha! Whatever, it kept them quiet so we could talk.

Matt and the kids playing outside after dinner.  I later learned they were playing 'Warewolves and Humans'.
I WAS wondering why they were barking....

After Grandma's, we hit up my dad's for some more pie and did some Black Friday Gray Thursday (We renamed it) shopping. Me and Annie were out til 3:00 am! I was pretty impressed with her, since she is super pregnant and not usually out that late!

So, I feel safe to say, 2012 is officially the 2nd successful Thanksgiving! Since I never said it yesterday, I am so thankful for my family, that they are always there for me and love me no matter how crazy I am. I am thankful to have been born in a time with so many conveniences and medical advances, and to not have to have fought for freedom or walked across a plain like my ancestors did, and in a country where I have the right to vote, wear what I want, go where I want, and marry who I choose. There is so much to be thankful for, I could never type it all here!
I hope you all had a wonderful holiday, and took more time than I did to tell your loved ones why you are thankful for them!