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This holiday has always held a special place in my heart. It’s been a time with loads of family, traditional food (i.e. my mom’s amazing rolls, aunt’s pecan pies, grandma’s turkey), and heartfelt thanks. In my family, a typical Thanksgiving includes extended family, going over to Grandma & Grandpa N.’s, eating food with the kidlets in the kitchen and the parents in the dining room. We talk a lot (the adults talk a TON). After we’re loaded with enough food to feed a small country, we gather in the living room to give thanks. I honestly don’t know if there’s ever been a time when we haven’t cried, and been humbled at how good God has been to us. God is still good to us.

As soon as all of the adults have had their fill of good food and conversation (which is usually around 10pm), the sleepover begins. Each year the boy and girl grandchildren take turns sleeping over at Grandma and Grandpa’s; we play bingo, eat popcorn, have a tea party with grandma and (my favorite part) my grandpa busts out his oil paints and we all paint some sort of Thanksgiving masterpiece. After a laughter-filled and sleepless night, my grandma treats us all to Hootenannies and hot chocolate.

This Thanksgiving is a little bit different; we’re spending Thanksgiving in warm, snow-free Menlo Park. Chris and I decided that it would be just too much stress to travel this week. I really miss my family; immediate, extended and in-laws. Ultimately, I want to express how thankful I am for family: my husband and sweet daughter, my parents and siblings, cousins, aunts and uncles, grandparents, in-laws. I’m also grateful for friends who are practically family anyway.

I love you.