Thankful!

So I know you all must think that I forgot Photo Friday last week, but that simply isn't the case....truthfully I just didn't have time to get it up here!  But what I did do was take a few pics that day since that is the day that Joe and I celebrate Thanksgiving at our home!  I was busy cooking dinner for 14 people, needless to say I was stuck in the kitchen all day!  My efforts in the kitchen did pay off however and I did manage to grab a few pics if the meal and of those who joined us to celebrate....I will post those at the end of this blog. Our Thanksgiving tradition started a few years ago when Joe and I spent the holiday going from house to house eating turkey and while I was glad we saw everyone we did that day, I was very sad because it didn't "feel" like Thanksgiving to me.  We started early so I missed the Parade on TV, there was no lounging around snacking on chex-mix watching football and there were definitely no leftovers which was very disturbing! So began our tradition!  We still go and see everyone on Thanksgiving and as of late we spend most of the day with the Brannan family. Thursday night, Joe and two of his buddies go and have guys night and my friend Charity comes back to my house to spend the night and help cook the next day. Then on Friday, we start the day off by watching the parade that I recorded....praise the Lord for DVR!  And then we head into the kitchen and begin cooking!  I really do enjoy cooking and I love all of the leftovers we get to eat on the week after.  My favorite part about the day is that each year I have done this our table grows and grows!  This year we had 14!  It is so nice to have everyone gathered around the table eating a yummy meal and it is such a good reminder to me that while I might be far from my family on this holiday, God has been faithful to fill my life with a new family of friends here in CT!  And for that I am very thankful!

Some of the yummy food!

The Second table of yummy Food!

Joe and His Dad!

Some of the friends that stopped by!