Thankful for Thanksgiving Plans!

All the cousins at the first one we hosted. My basement that evening...

Well - It's official. Robb & I are hosting my mom's side of the family for our annual Thanksgiving (day after) celebration! Not sure how many people will be able to attend this year. They may be getting sick of each other... I hope we get a crowd tho! It's an semi-organized potluck with the host usually handling the turkeys and hall. When we host it, we always order a keg of 1919 Rootbeer which is always gone by noon the next day. YUM!

The first year that we hosted here, we had it in my house. I spent over a month getting the house prepared for people everywhere... I even got the garage cleaned, tables set up out there. What a rush THAT was! We had over 70 people. in.my.house. at one time. The kids mostly hung out in the garage, then my teenage nephew drove my daughters Barbie jeep down the street in the drizzle... I made him and another nephew carry it back when I found out.

My nephew Sam, riding the Barbie jeep...

Wow! I think we've hosted at least 4 times. Once here, once at our office building meeting room, once at the lodge at the park, once above City hall. Last year was the City Hall one and it was perfect! The kitchen had about 4 stoves and ovens. Tons of counter space and two sets of sinks. The room was really long and had a spare room that the kids put a WII in and they played in there quite a bit.

We were able to put tables in the middle, food buffet on one side and a stage area on the other end for the talent show.

My kitchen for the 1st time we hosted. I'm on the far right holding Meri.

Every year there is a talent show for anyone who wants to do anything. My kids usually play piano, sing or put on a skit with a cousin. There has been gymnastics, poetry reading, trumpet playing and of course Robb playing his bagpipes. Last year, my sister showed a video against a wall of my parents parasailing in Hawaii a few years ago! Mom and Dad were sure surprised. I don't think they even knew they were being filmed.

Ryan reads some music lyrics that a friend has written.

My cousin's husband says he doesn't have a talent, so he emcees... but this year we're giving him a cow bell to play.... Ssh! Don't tell him!

The talent show ends up with my aunt, uncle and their kids playing clarinets to Christmas music and/or my mom playing piano and everyone sings along. Such a great time! I'm going to have to have a new camera by that time. Too many fun things to record and photograph!

My uncle and one of his daughters taught/teach music near Omaha. Such a talented family!

We usually don't leave the hall until 1am after everyone has helped clean up and move all of our things out. The next morning, whoever is still in town, can come to our house for breakfast. Robb makes a mean breakfast casserole. This year, I'm sure he'll try something smoked.

It truly makes you stop and think about what we're truly thankful for.