Gobble, Gobble, Gobble

We are a pretty traditional family in that we have turkey, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, and pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving dinner. But in recent years, my Thanksgivings have been changed up a bit. As a kid, Thanksgiving was the only holiday we spent with my dad's side of the family. Aunt Mary always made a magnificent meal, and it was the one time a year that we saw our paternal grandparents. Then Grandma died and there was a falling out with Aunt Mary, so Thanksgiving became more of an immediate family holiday. Not too many years later, however, I got married, and my husband and I now alternate between families every other year. With my husband's side of the family, we have to meet in a church gym, because the family is too big for a house. We eat, then play game after game of cards while the kids play basketball in the gym. With my family we eat, then play game after game of cards while the kids watch football and movies. The only time I ever have turkey is on Thanksgiving, and I don't particularly like it. In fact, I always seem to be sick the day after Thanksgiving . . . although that may have more to do with our Black Friday tradition. For the past five years, my mom, two sisters and I wake up at some ungodly hour and brave the frigid November air to hit the mall!! Sadly, that is probably my favorite part of Thanksgiving. :-)