giving Thanks.

Thanksgiving is the most important holiday to my dad's family, at least as far as getting together is concerned. It's so important, that I am willing to trade working Christmas to be able to travel for Thanksgiving every year. In fact, it was a huge faux pa when Josiah was born only two weeks before, preventing us from participating that year. We modified and went to visit a month later, but it was enough for us to try and coordinate no impending or fresh births around late November in the future. Perhaps that's a little extreme...with a little truth to it. We of course will gladly welcome any child on any day of the year the Lord apportions for him or her. We won't be scheduling another due date around Thanksgiving, though.

For over 13 years, my dad's extended family has continued to perfect our Thanksgiving traditions. The only problem we are encountering now is we are coming up with many more delicious things to eat and we aren't willing to let go of the current menu. That truly means that "Thanksgiving" is 3 days of constant fresh baking, eating, and eating some more. We always do a large and excruciatingly painful jigsaw puzzle, play cards (including a very serious Spades tournament starting on Thanksgiving Day), and stay up until at least the middle of the early morning, be it for pie baking, catching up, or a competitive hand of spades. We have a family cookbook that was initiated at my wedding, and every year we make the most prized recipes when we get together. Everyone is required to contribute new recipes each year. Sometimes we surprise ourselves and concoct a recipe at Thanksgiving that is mandated as a contribution for the following year. This year we had that happen. The new addition is a delightfully fluffy cheesecake with chocolate chip cookie dough crust.

Seeing that Josiah is over 2 and required to have his own plane ticket, we weighed the cost with the convenience and decided that it was in our best interest to drive this year. We have never driven before, as it is 12 hours away. I was extremely hesitant, as I am not one for long car rides and I didn't think any potty-trained two year old is either. We packed our car full with small toys, every "favorite" book, and LOTS of snacks, as we have learned in the past that snacks are the key to car-riding happiness. We set off at 5:30am on Tuesday, bound for Tulsa, OK.

We stopped in Memphis for some barbeque and let Josiah play at a park for a little while before continuing. Josiah was a DREAM, and traveling in our new Element was key to our success. It is so roomy that we were able to sleep and change positions comfortably, use Josiah's potty right inside the car, and have easy access to all of those necessary snacks. In case you wondered, Josiah ate his weight in clementines, raisins, and fruit snacks by the time the day was over. We finally arrived in Tulsa around 7:30pm (our time), just in time for the Tuesday dinner traditions.

These were the necessary modifications needed to the car seat for a comfortable nap.

Josiah being silly.

Once we were there, we had a fabulous visit with all of our family. In fact, Jonathan and I both think it was our best Thanksgiving yet. My cousin and I have perfected the best apple pie--completely from scratch. She was also the pioneer for the cheesecake this year, and it will most certainly be around every year from here on out.

Josiah charmed all of the family members and fell in love with every one of them, too. He is still asking me about Eli, Judie, and Grandpa Grady. He REALLY fell in love with the dog, Maggie. Every morning he would wake up and ask about Maggie, and if I told him she was still sleeping, he wanted to give her a "magic kiss" so she would wake up. Apparently, Maggie loved Josiah with equal enthusiasm.

Josiah loved to throw her ball for her, and he would even get down on his hands and knees and prompt her to lick him from his chin to his forehead in one messy swipe. Though there were two dogs in the house, Brandi was merely "dog" in Josiah's book. He would say, "Awww, Mags" like they were old friends, and then he would look at Brandi and say, "Hi dog." It was mighty hilarious to me. I took a little video of Josiah with the dogs. He was spontaneously "playing" with the dogs, and I had to capture his antics on film. Watch the video to see what I mean.

As always, the food was wonderful, the family time was priceless, and we can't wait to go back again next year.

Josiah and Grandpa Grady

Josiah and Eli (ie, Aey-yi) Josiah looks remarkably like Eli did as a toddler (not surprising since we have always passed as siblings). This may be a preview to grown up Josiah. Only time will tell.

There were lots of things to climb on there.

eating up!

Grams, Tim, and Karen working hard in the kitchen.