Thanksgiving on Megan's Side

Speaking of the family zoo....

For the last 27 years of my life, my family has traveled south to Jackson for Thanksgiving.  We always celebrated by staying at Maw Maw and Paw Paw's Wednesday night, watching the Macy's Thanksgiving parade that morning, followed by a delicious traditional Thanksgiving lunch that my grandmother always had busily prepared for us.  This was one of two times we got together with my dad's brother and his family.  Then, we would drive over to Nonnie and Pops's house for dinner and spend time with my mom's brother and his family.  When my grandparents both moved to apartments or assisted living, Russ and I took over.  When we moved, my sister took over.  Now, we have all moved away.  My cousin took up the slack this year.

Rage

Since we didn't have a "neutral house" to stay in this time, we drove down Thursday after the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade and checked into our hotel.  Clancy and Jack (and Rage, the newest member of the family) graciously hosted all sides of the family....my mom's side, my dad's side, and Jack's side of the family.  That was our family zoo!

Clancy fixed some yummy cheese balls and appetizers while Jack got the two whole turkeys ready!  My mom stuck the dressing in the oven and put the gravy on the stove.  Jack's mom and aunt brought tons of yummy sides and desserts!  Along with Rhonda's pumpkin roll!  Oh my...delicious!  The rest of us?  Oh, we visited and had a fine time!

Clancy showed me Baby J's "Egg Bowl gift" while the guys looked through the Black Friday ads.  Uncle Howard had his eye on a new camera, and Daddy was studying all the television sales.  The grandparents sat in the living room to rest before the festivities began.

Maw Maw, Mama, and Pops

Daddy and Uncle Howard

There is nothing formal about my family gatherings!  We just relax, hang out, enjoy each other, laugh, tell stories, laugh, cook, laugh, and laugh some more!  This makes for fun and LOUD family get togethers!

Clancy and Aunt Patsy

Smithites

Girl Cousins

Jack did a FINE job on the turkeys!  He showed off his new Green Egg setup, which was phenomenal!  The guys spent most of the pre-meal time out back watching the master chef at work.

Master of the Grill

Some of the family watched the game in the living room and spent time getting to know Jack's family.

Uncle Donald and Maw Maw

Jack and Clancy

Once Daddy said the prayer, we were ready to dig in!  The guys helped get Pops situated, and the rest of us were left to fend for ourselves!

This is what I love about Thanksgiving!  Ten conversations in the same room.  Laughter in each one.  Genuine interest in each other and a love for this time together!

Daddy, Rhonda, Kristin, and Aunt Patsy

Garage Dinner Party

The cool table...much like my high school lunch table!

The host and hostess and their moms (and Daddy)

Once the delicious meal slowed down a bit, things got a little more fun!  I say "slowed down" because I don't think there was a time where everyone stopped eating!  There was always someone in the kitchen sneaking seconds or more dessert! Ha!

The grandchildren get a little silly during family get-togethers!  Jack and his brother had a Bop-It tournament, while some of us posed for a few fun pics.

Me

My baby brother and me

Rage came in to join the party too!

Jack, Rage, and Dustin

As always, we had a wonderful time!  Everyone slowly trickled out for the night.  Of course, we were the last to go.  We made the decision to forgo Black Friday this year.  But, our hotel was actually in the Bass Pro Shop parking lot.  Dustin was my roommate since Russ was working this year, and we decided to walk on over.  You know you're a redneck if....

You brew a cup of coffee, put on your Ugg boots over your leopard print pajamas, and walk over with your mom to a huge store filled with fishing poles and camo recliners!  Ha!  We did find some great finds for Christmas and walked back over to the hotel to jump in our fabulous beds for a few minutes before our wake-up call for Cracker Barrel! 

As always...a Thanksgiving to remember!