Please tell me that your family has as many disfunctional members as mine does and that you are one of the few normal ones swinging from the family tree! LOL!!

The kids and I will start with lunch at my mother's house. She finally got with the program and started having her four grown children start bringing dishes for the meal instead of me supplying the homemade pies and her wearing herself out for the rest of the meal. Bout time the rest start showin' up with more than their appetite! We end the day at my MIL's where we eat again. Only half the family shows up for that cause the rest ain't speakin'

On the serious side though, I probably enjoy Thanksgiving more than Christmas because there isn't the extra pressure of gift buying, wrapping, will it get done in time, is it the right present, I can't find what they want and I have to take it all back routine. We can just enjoy a meal together, have a good time visiting while we're cleaning it up and go home exhausted.

Janet

Brooke

We'll be at my parents' house this year, with all my sisters etc. I'm hoping this will be a laid-back holiday. We're all bringing something to the meal, so no one person gets overloaded with making everything. We'll see my husband's parents on Saturday. We decided not to do the overnight visit and hit both sets of parents in the same two-day period (they live very close to each other). We've done that before, and it's honestly easier to drive over twice than to sleep over with the kids - we'll all sleep better this way.

I don't think anyone can claim to be "normal" in either of our families (you know the old saw about nuts not falling far from the tree!), but we all get along most of the time, and we love each other even when we make each other crazy, so we'll count our blessings and enjoy spending time together.

Laurel

Growing up, it was always just our family unit and I longed for the big Thanksgivings with lots of family. DH's family seemed like such a family...seemed is the operative word...and let's just say we like having our own. Too many issues to deal with the larger family and too much stress.

One of my sisters lives fairly close (although the traffic is awful). She decided years ago, however, that she prefers to have Thanksgiving with friends and considers them her real family. I used to go through the drill of inviting her (and having her decline), but not any longer. My other sister lives in SC and invited us down (she is unable to come up this year...new job) but none of my family wanted to travel. They just want to have Thanksgiving at home and I don't blame them.

My parents are getting up there but they travel around and are difficult to pin down. One can only assume they celebrate as they wish.

So, what will be, will be. I admire those of you that do have the large families and manage it all.

Happy Thanksgiving! (Have you noticed, at least around here, that everywhere is already decked out for Christmas??...it's as if Thanksgiving has already passed by) We have much to be thankful for!

We plan on going to Huntsville, too my sisters for Thanksgiving. I will have two other sisters there with their families. We usually have our dinner here ( everyone comes ) but this year for the first time in about 15 years, I got a break. Of course I still have to roast the Turkey and do the homemade yeast rolls, but what the heck. I have to do it anyway if they come here plus, I have all the pies, cakes and side dishes to make. I told my sis that if I had too, I would bring the Turkey and rolls but THAT WAS ALL I was bringing. I don't know why they can't make rolls... Anyway we are looking for a pleasant dinner but most of all, we are just Thankful that we can have full bellies.. Have a good day, ya'll.....Ellie