
On Friday is when the big action started though. My daughters, sister in law and niece went Black Friday shopping starting at 6am. More family arrived. Some left and moved into a hotel for that evening. We didn't kick them out, but the house was going to be full for Friday night... Robb took the 3 turkeys and 3 hams(after I sliced them) to the hall and started cooking. I went shopping for a few last minute things and picked up the rootbeer keg with my sister.
After more running around and then stopping back at the house for all the things I didn't want to forget for the dinner, we all ended up at the hall. This place is great! A huge kitchen with 3 stoves and ovens. Maximum counter space. Microwave, extra dishes and silverware if needed. Huge room to set up 10+ tables and chairs. Area for kids to play with the playdough and board games. Like I said, perfect!
The whole afternoon was filled with prep work, visiting, laughing, ordering kids out of the kitchen, etc.

Robb counted them all up on Saturday morning with another sister of mine and they came up with 83 people as our final tally. We had 96 last year, but that was counting the people who came in by mistake thinking it was the firemen's chili feed...

With the help of my younger sister, we managed to embarrass my older sister's minister of a husband. Yes, in addition to getting him laughing, we got him to blush. We were of course discussing the talent show and what talents they could do. I mean, they HAVE 14 kids...
The talent show started when all the perishable items were put away and tables cleared. It only lasted 1.5 hours this year, I think because one of my sisters banned her 5 year old from doing several improptu piano performances like he had last year.
Meri played her clarinet.





Then after cleaning up the hall and loading up our cars, my house then filled up with sleeping bags and kids. I think someone counted 25 people sleeping in our house. All adults got a bed, but all kids were camped out on floors, couches and the futon in my office. Robb and I didn't even sleep there. We made sure everyone had enough blankets and we locked up the house at 11pm and slept elsewhere! Came back at 6:30am and got the breakfast ready.
That next morning a bunch of relatives came over for breakfast, kind of in shifts. Robb and I had biscuits and gravy, eggs made to order, pancakes, juice and coffee available and got more visiting in before everyone scattered back to their home towns all over the midwest.
We've accumulated a lot of leftover things that people left behind. Socks, blankets, gloves and a spiderman hat. Also found a skirt my mom couldn't find and a whole packet of pictures that she was having people label at the reunion. And for some reason a bunch of boy scout booklets from the 50s....
Yeah - and that was just Friday through Saturday morning! Part 2 tomorrow I guess!
11 comments:
You ARE the woman! I get freaky at having even one or two people at my house at at time.
I can say that we never include Karate with Thanksgiving. But now you have given me an idea!!
Wow now that's a lot to be thankful for. Sounds like pure heaven!!! Love it and am so happy for you!
Enjoy the season!
Leann
What's that little boy plugging his ears for??? LOL!!!
Also. Could your son eat?
wonderful! is so good that communion, seeing everyone again, this is very good, all the work turns out to be nice! my family is not so big, so it ends up being a simple meal.
Do you practice martial arts this is really cool! Congratulations!
aprendizdecostura
Gee, you make me want to have come from a really big family....well, almost.lolol
I would so enjoy coming to one of your Thanksgiving adventures!!
Now you have my permission to take to your bed for, oh....about a week.
2 if you need it. ;-)
Your family knows how to party! That looks like fun!!! The talent show looks like something my side of the family would go wild for, and that my hubby's side would run and hide from. :)
My son Aaron is a black belt...cool!
Have you recovered yet????
Looks like an awesome few days!!
That looks like so much fun! When my family gets together we always end up play cards. Your sounds better!
Sounds like a great holiday full of love and happiness! How wonderful! I have a feeling you will be very tired in the weeks to come :-) Have a great week!
Blessings,
Jill
Oh....my.....word!! You had so many people there! I don't even have that many relatives. At least I don't think so.
It does sound like a lot of fun.
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