This was our first Thanksgiving eating with family in awhile. We always stayed in California while we lived there and last year was "off" for both of our families, which meant this year we were all "on". Unfortunately, a stomach bug and bronchitis among cousins changed our location last minute and made my family's dinner smaller than we were planning.
What we lacked in numbers, though, we made up for in the number of cheese balls (3!) and the pounds of potatoes consumed (the kind where there is more cream and cheese than potato--yum). The Gourleys are trying to adopt a new practice of "chilling out"...not easy if you know us. We were all about visiting and hanging out this year, trying to avoid any rush or try-to-just-get-it-over-and-cleaned-up attitude.
Everything was right with dinner--the kids were full from sneaking rolls before we even said the prayer and they all said "family" and "grandpa/grandma" when saying their thankful lists. Tessa took full advantage of her first Thanksgiving holiday by eating her weight in turkey.
She continued her immersion into the holiday by ad shopping and watching football with her Uncle Chris.
From there, we headed to the Schows where we walked in to find this:
The gold and purple were SO beautiful. Dinners at a table setting this nice just taste better, don't they? I think they were channeling Downton Abbey and the only thing missing was Carson to oversee us eating.
Even the kid's table was decked out, complete with turkey napkins.
While Chad and I talked for a bit about the memories we made on Thanksgivings in California and guessed what we'd be doing if it was just our little group of 5, the truth is there is nothing like spending the holidays with our families. I love this time of year when our hearts are so full and focused on the many blessing we have received. Indeed, we have so, so much to be thankful for.
