Thanksgiving Fricassee

With the scent of turkey soup simmering on the stove, I thought I'd add my two cent's worth of pictures and tales out of school about our Thanksgiving Get-together.  Aww, forget the two cents, I'll give you Loony's worth. 

We were lucky enough to somehow snag all of our children for Thanksgiving which is no minor feat no matter how far in advance plans are made.  For a while it looked as if perhaps Amy and Tyler, and Kayla and Colby holidaying in Maui and returning on the "red eye" that very morning--that their attendance was very much in question, but our darling Colby gave them 3 hours of shut-eye after they landed.  And that folks, makes me very thankful!  In addition to our immediate family, we were lucky to have my mom and sister join us at our table as well. 

Grand Total including 2 little baby boys in arms:  19!

The sweet deal of the day was that it was also our darling Granddaughter Abby's 4th Birthday as well.  Could a person be anymore thankful for family and love and laughter and celebration? Well, just a wee bit more as Cathy and Amy and their Dad, my beloved, celebrated their mutual Birthday only 3 days earlier, so party on Garth! 

On my beloved's Birthday we went to Denny's for his "free breakfast" and while walking home found these beautiful autum leaves.  We decided that if it was good enough for Chihuly at the Bellagio in the Garden Shop in Las Vegas, then we too would hang our leaves in the "children's dining room".  http://www.chihuly.com/installations/

The stage was set for the table which included a wooden tree on which I hung thanksgiving stickers, name tags for each child and Silly Bands for their wrists.

The adult table was a little less-fun, more formal.  I just have to say, that the adults did not live up to the formal portion of the evening-tee hee!   Between wine glasses being tipped over, as well as a knocked over tea light almost catching the table cloth on fire, but not before covering my beautiful little birds with wax, and I want to conclude my rant by telling you dear reader, that the children's white linen table cloth was much, much cleaner at the end of the night -- well let's say it was a rip roaring Thanksgiving on all counts.  The girls each  contributed to the dinner, much wine was consumed and the love and laughter at the table was awesome!

 

Innocent little bird before wax treatment!

Momma arrives all ready to decorate our Sweet Abby's Cake! (The cake was a hit, and was delish!)

The Three Amigos, Hudson, Dick and Nick looking mighty handsome with his new hair cut, sans curls!  (Note also our new kitchen floor!)

Ta Da! Our Birthday Girl Abby!

Mr. & Mrs. Besth taking a moment to pose!

How old are you today sweet thing?  4, count 'em for yourself!

Uncle Cliff getting sized up by Hudson, Carly probably telling me that "look he's not afraid of my daddy!"

Uncle Nick and Cameron trying to figure out a 4 year old's puzzle.  How are you doing guys?  I see someone does the straight edge first just like me!

My Value Village find-the turkey candle holders for $2.00!

Somebody loves my Birthday Boy!  The sentiments in the cards were so lovely and, true!

Uncle Cliff with delightful arms full, Colby and Hudson

Hudson ate mashed potatoes and gravy for his first Thanksgiving dinner in the same chair his mommy sat in for her first!

Cameron informed us that he should come early next time so that he could do "this" with the napkins!  We all agreed that he should do just that!  Isn't he a great looking young dude?

It was quite the rigamarole getting the kids plated up and fed, by the time I sat down, they were ready for seconds!  Note, not a Crazy Band in sight on tables, only on their wrists!  They were a hit!

My mom and my sis, Madeleine matching in blue!  Looking good ladies!

Destruction of table "almost complete" a kleenex box??, the linen is missing from bread basket, sopping up spilled wine, gravy pitcher looking somewhat worse for the wear!  Oh the humanity!!!  G.G. and Catie looking very happy, aren't they sweet together?

 Time out for a Dogpile, a cuddle and playtime before the cake!

 Hudson surrounded by cousins, cousins and more cousins!

 Carly's commentary on being photographed!

G.G. and Colby along with Amy and Catie the seamstress!

 A brother-in-law having fun with another!  Tyler is holding up a picture of Cliff when he was in the "Mafia"

Happy Birthday Dear Abby!  She adores Thomas the Train and it shows on her face!

 

 Happiness pure and simple.  Pride and Joy so apparent! 

(Note lump under table cloth where wine was spilled!)

 Coco, Caroline and Catie patiently waiting for cake and icecream.

All the while April was trying to light the candles with some "antique matches" we had lying around, she was giving us the gears about them.  After using up I don't know how many of the ones I had, the Dad went off to find some.  The writing on the matchbook:  Piza 222.  This set them off on a volley of laughter, that place hasn't been around since the '80s! It was a tough go but finally all of the candles were lit!

 Happy Birthday D A C, to which Cathy asked"  "Who's that?"  More laughter!

 Tyler caught it on "video" I think!

And as if one Chocolate Cake weren't quite enough to go with the chocolate icecream and delish chocolates from Maui, another Chocolate Birthday cake that said Happy Birthday, You, You & You! which Cathy brought, made for a chocolate feast!  Not a piece of pumpkin pie in the house, sorry everyone!  Next year.

Lighting up cake two and the match thing gets to them all over again!

Colby just doesn't get the match, singing thing yet, but with parents like his, just you wait little man, just you wait!

 Make a Wish!

 Now let's get to the presents!  Abby surrounded by her cousins and her momma!

The Aftermath as captured by Cathy-a wax laden bird and a stray green bean!

Chocolate Cake leftovers and......

A broken Crazy Band that didn't make it through dinner, a chocolate wrapper, and who knows what all!

Chocolate stainage, note my finger pointing to my sister's contribution!  She owned up and wanted this picture taken!

What happened to "D"  AC?

While Cathy and I laughed at the disarray in the dining room, my wonderful Sons, Cliff and Tyler and Nick where in the kitchen loading up the dishwasher, washing out the pots and pans, putting things in the fridge-wow what an awesome bunch of men we have added to our family.  Thank you SO MUCH!

And the laughter continues as April in her new stylin' jacket (which is so sweet and sophisticated on her but the picture doesn't do justice to) hugs her Daddy goodbye!

All that remains of a wonderful day were the dishes waiting to be put back in the buffet!

 My bounty grows:   a beautiful lily from my son-in-law Nick, added to the festive decor.

THE Tea Towel from April which I love, covered with turkeys and pumpkins!

 The beautiful purple chrysanthimum from my mom and which now sits outside by our front door!  That banner could say: Happy - Thanks!

The day before Thanksgiving I came up with a brainwave and decided to add a note on the back of each person's placecard.  I won't tell you what I wrote on them, they were all personal and written just for them.  Except for the little kids, everyone thanked me for what I wrote to them.

Later on that night as my beloved and I were doing a bit of clean up and straightening up before we dropped into bed,  the telephone rang and it was my newest son, lovingly referred to as Son Number 3 - it was Tyler and he phoned to thank me for what I had written to him.  I was touched by that call.

I share with you what I wrote on the back of mine:

Allyson, have a glass of vino!

Look around and feel the love of family.

How did I get so lucky?

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

I already knew, I have SO VERY MUCH TO BE THANKFUL FOR, I just didn't anticpate how much the love and laughter and family can fill you up, believe me, it's even more than stuffing in a turkey!