Mom hosted Thanksgiving dinner for my family and our nearby cousins; when I asked what time I should arrive at her house to help, she said I didn't need to be there until noon to set the table. Turns out, my aunt Elaine was in charge of most of the side dishes, so Mom didn't have too much to take care of. I set the table and put together a shrimp drink that most of my family loves (I can see how it would be good, but since I don't like shrimp I didn't eat any). As I was doing that, most of my brothers arrived, and Adam and Lindsey brought Lindsey's brother,
Russell, and Russell's son Kellan. Lindsey volunteered to help Mom and I with dinner preparations, and the boys -- Dad, Adam, Aaron, the G-unit, Russell, and Kellan -- went outside and played football; it's the only time I can remember the boys doing that! They played for quite awhile, and then G decided he, Dad, Adam, and Kellan needed to play on the front porch with the two lego castles. It was pretty darn cute to watch them all play together. Soon, the rest of the relatives came, bearing potatoes, rolls, sweet potatoes, beans, and other yummy things, which kicked off the official "Let's Hang Out and Remind Ourselves How Much Fun We Have When We Get Together" time. I really do love these people. I am so lucky to have interesting and cheerful extended family!
We were sad not all of the cousins could make it, but I can accept the fact that they have lives of their own. The salmon-and-cream-cheese-on-crackers appetizer was a big hit, though I stuck to the cream cheese and hot pepper jelly option. About 2:30pm, we sat down at the tables and started in on the feast. I must say, Mom makes a turkey and stuffing that I look forward to all year long, but ever since I discovered that I like sweet potatoes (thanks again Marilynn!!) they've become my favorite. Mom had asked previously whether I wanted to sit at the "old people" table -- consisting of everyone who is a parent and the two younger kids -- or the "young people" table. I chose the young people, and had a blast talking about everything and nothing with Aaron, David, Natalie, Rich, and Spencer. Even when we had finished eating we weren't finished talking!I had resolved to help with the dishes this year, but when I made it into the kitchen, I found Mom looking a little harried, and the G-unit clinging to her legs,
begging her to play legos with him, so I volunteered to play. I admitted to the four-year old that I have little experience with legos, but he very patiently taught me the basics. That kid cracks me up; he has the best facial expressions. He got this look on his face every time I veered off script that very plainly said, "Megan is really lame at playing legos." (What? Evil knights and wizards might kidnap a princess to learn her quilting secrets, right?) When I got tired of trying to follow his storyline and figuring out who was good and who was evil, I suggested G play with Uncle Aaron for awhile. However, we found Aaron catching up with the cousins, and since I desperately needed a nap I asked G if he wanted to watch Scooby-Doo. Thankfully, 
he did, so I put in the DVD in the sewing room, grabbed a pillow and blanket and lay myself down on the floor. G laid down next to me (he did not cuddle but was wonderfully warm anyway) and we watched the first episode on the DVD until I fell asleep. I woke up just as the second one was starting and when an exasperated G asked if I was going to sleep during that one too, I truthfully replied "probably". David woke me up not too much later, and asked if I wanted to see Casino Royale with my brothers, Spencer, Lindsey, and Jordyn. Of course! Peter and Jordyn had eaten dinner and Jordyn's family's house, so they met us at the theatre. We arrived at the Century 16 too late to find seats all together (I really thought the family I asked to move down two seats was going to murder me), and I would have preferred not sitting in the third row of the front section, but I enjoyed the movie anyway. I didn't quite understand what was going on the whole time, but the action was good, and Daniel Craig is an exciting Bond. I'm just so excited that the Christmas movie season is here!!
from left: Peter, Aaron, Jordyn, me, Adam, Lindsey, David, and Spencer (am I short, or what?)
We ended the day playing Trivial Pursuit as a family -- Dad, Mom, Adam, Lindsey, the G-unit, David, Aaron, Peter, Jordyn, and I. It was the 1981 edition of the game and we were quite surprised at how much we actually knew (and how cryptic many of the questions were). David and I held our own quite creditably as a team. I couldn't remember even the next day who won the game, but I know we had a blast... and we're thinking of getting an updated version of the game for Dad for Christmas.
Such a good day, and like all good days it ended too soon. I'm looking forward to Christmas and New Year's weekend, though! Hooray for time off work and time with the people I love the most. I am very, very blessed.
