Thanksgiving was a good day. We expected it to be a good day, but as Steve and I drove home from his brother’s house after a long day with a child screaming in the back seat and one who quickly fell asleep almost sitting up we both agreed it was better than a good day. It was a great day. Some days are just like that.
We started the morning bright and early, dragging kids out of bed for the Turkey Trot. We walked, ran, ate and played with cousins. And even knowing we were joining up with cousins shortly after – it was still like ripping teeth out to get them all separated.
Steve’s sister had her baby the day before and Steve found out while we were at the Turkey Trot that they were using his name as the middle name. Steve was touched and humbled and we made a quick pit stop by the hospital on the way home so he could hold him just for a minute. Tender moments.
Steve’s brother hosted our Thanksgiving gathering. An intimate 52 family members – all the love to them for being willing to host that crowd. When you have nine kids – nothing will ever be a small group and everyone wants to be together. So assignments were made and carried through and we fed the masses.
Our assignment this year was the rolls. I spent a good portion Wednesday making rolls – cooking some and then freezing the dough for others to pull out the next day to let rise while we were trotting. And you can expect someone to eat just one roll so we cooked over 120. I lost count of how many I had to test as they were pulled from the oven. Nothing beats a roll straight from the oven.
The tables were set up in such a way that we were able to really enjoy our meal and conversation and they were set beautifully.
After the eating commenced, the playing began and then some napping and football and more playing and then of course pies. And more pies. And just when I was telling myself that I was all pied out – a new pie would surface and I’d take another sliver. It wasn’t until we were leaving that I realized I hadn’t even touched the pumpkin pie! I made sure to make up for that the next day!
As the sun set, it cast a beautiful orange glow across the sky and backyard, it was beautiful. We sat on the covered patio, watching the cousins play and talking into the night. Briggs was the arm ornament of choice, as long as he was happy! Hunter was playing soccer. Hallie was on the trampoline. Bennett was running back and forth to the ice machine to cool off. And Cannon…he ended up being the least happy of the bunch the entire day. He was extremely afraid of the roll-top door to the game room that kept opening and closing. His cousins convinced him the walls would collapse in if the door opened. (Got to love older cousins!) So he honestly struggled every time he saw it open and he would run away screaming. So my relaxed evening on the patio watching the sunset was interrupted just a few times. Even then – we drove away with exhausted kids and agreed, it was a great day!
