Eric, honey, could you get the Thanksgiving turkey out of the freezer? Oh, wait. It’s a 20-pounder. Donna, could you get the Thanksgiving turkey out of the freezer? -Kitty, That 70′s Show

This year’s Thanksgiving festivities were so much fun. I still can’t believe this was my third Thanksgiving with Match and his family. Time has flown by and so much has changed for the two of us. Match’s Parents hosted Thanksgiving this year which was really nice for us. We were able to have Monkey there and we didn’t have to drive since we spent the long weekend with them.

I got up early and helped Match’s Dad with the cooking. I made cornbread and stuffed mushrooms by request. I make them every year and they a huge pain in the butt. They’re worth it when everyone eats them before I can get them on the plate!

Match’s four aunts were there along with their spouses and a few of Match’s cousins. I liked that it was a fairly small group this year. Everyone was just so relaxed and comfortable. As we sat down for dinner a few of the aunts made a toast to the family. I never make toasts but I felt that this year I had to say something. I stood up shyly and said, “This is my third Thanksgiving with you all, and my first as an official member of the family, and I just wanted to say, I couldn’t be happier.” It was short and sweet, but it teared everyone up, especially my mother in law.

I love that there was no reason to take pills for acne, no one stressed out, no one argued. It was just a warm family dinner. After dinner we played Catch Phrase and Match’s mom led me in a very clumsy (on my part, I have two left feet) dance around the living room.

We had Celtic music playing, Irish coffees, and lots and lots of laughter.

How did you celebrate your Thanksgiving?

Jess: Wait, you’re taking off? Is this about your dad? Is he alright?
Sam: Yeah, you know, just a little family drama. -Supernatural

Yesterday Match and I got to celebrate an early Thanksgiving with his extended family. I was all jazzed about lots of food but I barely ate a thing. We hadn’t seen a lot of the family since our wedding and everyone wanted to talk. It sort of felt like my wedding because I was so busy talking I never had time to really eat. I didn’t even have turkey (gasp!). I haven’t been working out for the past month so I wasn’t exactly worse for wear after eating a little meal. Plus I made this incredibly fattening, so of course delicious, cornbread. And I may have sampled a bit before bringing it over. And some of the batter. Maybe.

It was great to see the family but there was an awful lot of driving involved for a Friday night. Both Match and I were worn out from the work week and didn’t feel up for driving an hour and a half through traffic.

Match’s Aunt (one of 5)’s house is pretty nice. They have this cool whole house water filter so you never have to use a Brita pitcher. The house has a great layout with an open kitchen and family room and separate formal living room. There were little scatterings of people all throughout the house and I made my rounds visiting with everyone. My favorite part of the night were the games when one of Match’s cousins busted out Catch Phrase. Not everyone played but those of us who did had a good laugh.

While I absolutely love Match’s family, this potluck made me really homesick for Thanksgivings from the past with my mom’s side of the family. It’s been years since we’ve had a big family Thanksgiving. My mom is also one of five siblings and there seems to be a lot of drama within the family. There’s always one aunt or uncle who’s not speaking to the rest of the fam and it seems to get worse the older we all get. I wish we could go back to how it was when I was a little kid and my cousins were all babies. We’d all crowd into our living room and play charades or sing songs. Sometimes one of my uncles and I would put on skits and tell jokes to entertain the family. I’m betting we had just as much family drama back then but I was too young to know anything about it. To be young and oblivious again…sometimes that sounds so nice.

I’m looking forward to Thanksgiving. Even though it will be a bit more formal, I’m sure after a few glasses of wine I can convince the in-laws to play some games. Maybe sing a few songs. But a skit might be pushing it. I don’t know if I want to see my mother in law that drunk.

Do you have family traditions for Thanksgiving? Any family drama around the holidays? I can’t be the only one!

I’m completely, completely in love with you. I even love the things about you that I hate…because you make me feel like I don’t have to be anyone other than who I am and, to me, that feels like family and that’s what I want us to be. I want us to be a family because that never ends. -Justin, Brothers & Sisters

Yesterday’s Thanksgiving dinner made me feel like I was once again a part of Match’s family. I received such a warm welcome from not only Match’s parents, but the entire clan (that’s what they call themselves, it’s five sisters, and they can be quite formidable). I instantly felt at home, and we settled in to a relaxing afternoon of wine, way too much food, and great company. (more…)

I’ve been thinking about you. We are links to eternity. Ahead of us, family yet to come, souls to be born; behind us, ancestors — ancestors who sacrificed. We are making those sacrifices to live the principle, to keep faith. Margie, you are a valued member of this family. We weren’t complete, not until you. You made us complete. I wasn’t complete until you, and our fine sons.        -Bill, Big Love

The last time I wrote about Match, we had a minor hiccup in our relationship. Thank you all for your comments, they meant a lot. You were all right-he was just sick and feeling blue. None of his comments were really directed at me. He’s proved in his actions since just how much he wants a future with me.

This past weekend Match and I went to Portland, OR to visit my family, and watch two of my cousins graduation from high school. It was a great weekend full of late night karaoke singing, beer pong, and general merriment. I had hoped they would love Match, but I wasn’t prepared for just how much! (more…)

Prue: My sisters and I, we have special gifts.

Allison Michaels: Gifts? What kind of gifts?

Prue: Ones you can’t return. Let’s just say we come from an interesting kind of family tree. -Charmed

This month’s SPT challenge is all about giving non material gifts. Lelly tells us to “focus on the gift of service, the gift of a smile, the gift of a repurposed or gently used item, the gift of a kind word. you know, those gifts that would be

hard to wrap in a box with a pretty bow.”

This week we’re to give a gift to a family member. Now she may not be blood, but Coast Sister is definitely a part of my family.

I feel closer to her than ever, especially after our fun weekend together (I’m the one on the right, wearing a sweatshirt from her town, and she’s wearing an SF sweatshirt from mine, ha!).

I gave her the gift of my

hospitality, and of course my lovely futon. Ha! I gave the gift of my time, and the gift of my crazy California driving, as well as a view of the sights of my home. I also gave her the gift of Ghiradelli Square, where they pass out free chocolate, yum. Oh, and I’m standing straight up, and I come up to her ear, lol.

Even though I’m saying these are gifts I gave to her, I think her coming all the way out here to visit me was definitely a gift to me. Thank you for making the journey, and for being a part of my life!