My First Thanksgiving

Yay! The holiday season has arrived! 

Ethan got to experience his first crazy family potluck on Thanksgiving day - our extended family is not known for running out of food at holiday dinners. Joe made 2 turkeys, and the rest of us made, like, 16 sides and/or desserts each. As always, it was delightful to spend time with cousins, aunts, in-laws, and honorary family (hello, Gokul!). E got to spend quality time with his lovely redheaded cousin Sophie as well as his favorite first cousin Jack.

Joe entertained the kids with airplanes and spins and chases in the backyard - very funny to hear alternating 'Me next's from Jack and Sophie, as well as to watch a very dizzy Sophie walk erratically and ask to be spun again.

Grandma gave special ornaments to 'my six children' - two kids, our spouses, and our children - and to Sophie. E got some much-needed help from Jack to open his adorable sock monkey ornament, which he promptly examined with his mouth (and found acceptable).

After eating ourselves silly, the foragers among us set off for the golf course to gather pecans! My dad is a master pecan cracker, so he has been placed in charge of cracking those shells and bringing us bags of delicious home-picked pecans. Grandpa P, it's clear you'll need to visit The Woodlands for our version of pecan (pronounced puh-CON, of course) pie!

Jack was very helpful - he warned us not to pick up any snakes.

Denise went barefooted. All the better to feel the pecans (and hopefully not any snakes).

Bumper crop of mini pecans

We really have just the best family ever. It's so pleasant to spend our holidays with such wonderful people. You can't pick your relatives, but if I got a choice these are the people I would choose. 

We have so, so much to be thankful for, more than ever this year. Happy Thanksgiving, y'all!