The fact that we had a home cooked, full on thanksgiving dinner this year was a little bit of a miracle. We had planned to be in Disneyworld as a family over the holiday, but had to cancel our trip two days before we were scheduled to leave (we postponed the trip to March, so we still get to go!) and 4 days before thanksgiving. Also, my parents' kitchen sink and dishwasher were broken. We were all for getting the meal catered and eating on paper plates, but my dad really wanted to make all of our special family recipes. So he practically made the entire dinner himself over the course of two days and washed all the pots and pans by hand in an itty bitty side sink. We were all so thankful for his hard work and dedication to our family.
V loves to make place cards and then choose where everybody gets to sit. She thoughtfully asked everyone their favorite color and created their card in that color. Marolynn hadn't arrived yet and we didn't know her favorite color, so Vienne made hers extra special and made it with all the colors.
We did use the paper plate idea, but of course my mom found really pretty ones, so we could hardly even tell.
The kids played games while the finishing touches were being put on the meal. I love seeing the cousins play together.
Dinner time! Such a gorgeous meal, it tasted amazing.
Since V got to choose where everyone sat, she switched things up a bit and put me at the head of the table!
All of my favorite foods
V had made a thankful bracelet at school, where each color of bead symbolize something you are grateful for. She loved it so much she wanted to share the activity with the family, it was really fun. All the bracelets turned out so beautifully and I loved that they all had special meanings.
Then it was time for dessert!! Dad let Monty whip the cream, Monty was THRILLED.
The best part of helping in the kitchen ...
Dad always makes at least two kinds of pie. Pumpkin, of course, and then another flavor for those who don't like pumpkin, this year he made pecan. I love both of those kinds of pies so I always ask for a little slice of each.
V LOVES grandpa's pumpkin pie. She has tried a lot of different pumpkin pies as she always says they are never as good as grandpas. So she had been waiting for this moment!
We didn't go to a movie this year because of Covid. So we had lots of time to relax and chat after dinner. Monty loves looking at silly videos on Jenny's phone.
While this was a unique and emotion filled Thanksgiving, it marks one full year to the day since we lost Reece, I am so grateful we got to gather as a family, something that has become extra special since being apart for so long during the pandemic. Being together brings so much comfort, peace and happiness. Being with my family is my happy place, especially when we are enjoying delicious food, which is usually the case when we are at my parents' house.
