GOBBLE TILL YOU WOBBLE

For Thanksgiving this year, the Woolley/Madden clan congregated at our house. I wasn't given any food assignments this year(hopefully not because of my cooking skills), I was just asked to host the event at our house. I thought that was too simple a request, but I accepted the assignment & added, as a bonus, a holiday punch (much like Shauri's, though I made mine with Cran-Raspberry & Ginger Ale, delicious). I started cleaning yesterday in preparation for our guests, and realized that Mom W. knew that part of my assignment would be to clean WHILE keeping Ethan involved in some small way. He's been known to make more messes while I clean, so I handed him a swiffer duster and let him loose. He enjoyed every minute of it (as did I).

I woke up thankful this morning that I wasn't the one cooking. ( : I finished preparing the house up until the fun started rolling in, along with some of the food. Grandma Jerri & Grandpa Bob (Scot's maternal Grandparents), Uncle Jack (a.k.a. Uncle Buck - Judie's brother), Aunt Jo & Hannah were the first to arrive. Within a short time, followed Aunt Marcia (Steve's sis-in-law), Lizzy, Leah, Michael, Daniel & Rachel with more food - and then Mom & Dad Woolley arrived with the turkey(s), etc. etc. etc. Lizzy & Leah made the edible turkey appetizer you see to your left (very clever, and equally delicious).

I woke Ethan up from his nap to join the party just as we were starting to eat. Oddly enough, he wanted nothing to do with the food, but everything to do with the company. He sat with 7 of us at the kitchen table for a while and then moved into the dining room to be with the other group of 8. He kept eyeing his Grandma Judie & Great Grandpa Bob from the kitchen & called out to them, so I gave up trying to make him eat.

Everything tasted absolutely delicious! I'm sure I would've eaten more if I would've had room (or a goal weight of 500 lb.). I'd say the sign of a good meal is apparent from this priceless photo of Buck. Ahhh, tryptophan. (*NOTE: I say that knowing that studies have now shown that overeating is what actually makes people tired, not turkey. All these years turkey's have gotten a bad rap). But for you, I'm sure it was the turkey Uncle Buck! ( :

I'd say one of the highlights of the evening was when Ethan tried to take Great Grandma Jerri for a ride in his miniature wagon. He was thoughful enough to put it up on the coffee table to try and make it easier for her to get into it...but ultimately, Grandma Jerri ended up taking Ethan for a short ride instead. What a funny kid.

Here are a few more photos from the festivities today.

I'm thankful for so many amazing people & countless blessings in my life today...and chances are, you made my list.

Happy Thanksgiving.
Thanks to everyone who made this day special (including my peeps, the pilgrims), and to all those who also made it extremely delicious.

By the way, I wanted to make sure to wish a Happy 14th Anniversary to my brother Jared & sis-in-law Becky, and a Happy 11th (12?) Anniversary to my sister Camille & bro-in-law Sam. Hope you enjoyed a great homecooked meal to celebrate. ( : We love you!