We normally have enough family over on Thanksgiving to fill up three, 6 foot long tables and even then, we're packed in like sardines come dinnertime.
This year though, we barely filled up two, 6 foot long tables and didn't even have enough willing-bodied players for our annual football game.
That said, it was a lovely Thanksgiving all the same...
I gave Annie a Thanksgiving haircut and a couple of curls before everyone arrived. (Seems like every holiday season, she and I both get tired of the length of her hair and decide to chop it off.)
And Coley decided he wanted to look sharp for Thanksgiving too so he donned a tie. (He had to Google instructions on how to tie it since his dad wasn't there to do it for him.)
Playing with my iPhone before everyone arrived.
Still playing with my iPhone. (Man, I love that mole on his left cheek.)
My mom took that one.
And Coley took that one. (My Dad told Annie that she looked like she had 'mommyitis' - a term I coined when I was little and couldn't get enough of my own mommy.)
I love those handsome guys. (My dad and Coley.)
And that one too. (Josh's Grandpa, Leroy.)
Coley showing off his mad tie-tying skills to my Uncle Brad and Rudy.
I have no idea why anyone in my family makes faces like that (Jesse Ray) because I always blog them.
My Aunt Alicia cooking gravey.
And a heated discussion about the OSU Beavers.
Jesse Ray is a senior at OSU right now so he loves the Beavers. My dad loves the Beavs too - he just likes to complain about them.
I had to intervene on Josh Down's behalf though (because he specifically requested no Beaver's trash-talk in his home on Thanksgiving.)
And then Coley joined in on the conversation.
However anytime Coley joins in a conversation with Jesse Ray, he winds up in a headlock.
That one's kind of blurry, but I love it anyhow. (My dad and my step-mom.)
And then these guys set things up so we could Skype with Josh.
Sammy and Jesse. (My little cousins.)
The girls made all the Thanksgiving place cards this year.
The turkey on Leroy's place card gave everyone a good laugh...
Want to see it closer?
And then there was dinner. (That's my mom.)
I was in charge of cooking the mashed potatoes this year and was so worried about not having enough that I made two runs to the store on Thanksgiving morning to get more Yukon Golds.
Thanksgiving note to self: 17 pounds of potatoes is overkill for 15 guests.
I had planned on doing something with the top half of those white walls prior to Thanksgiving - in fact, I had even ordered this wallpaper, but as (my) luck would have it, Pemberley Blue was discontinued.
Josh Downs Skyped just in time to join in with everyone going around the table, talking about what they're thankful for.
My step-mom got all weepy and said she was thankful for my mom. (Could have had something to do with the three vodka/Sprite/lime/cranberry drinks I mixed for her.)
Vodka or no vodka though, my family is so blessed by how well these two women get along.
And then something happened that has never happened on any Thanksgiving past....
The men in my family helped clear, scrape, wash, dry and put away the dishes.
It was a holiday miracle. (In Josh Down's defense...he always helps with clean-up on Thanksgiving.)
And then we played Apples to Apples. (It's super-fun.)
That's Coley sandwiched in between my uncle Brad and cousin Jesse.
Yes mom, not only are you 'timeless' but you're also quite 'sexy' and 'funky.'
Hope your was great.
And if you're reading this Josh Downs...Thanks for being the best half of our little two-man team.
Oh Karen I LOVE the photo of everyone at the table looking at Josh on the computer. Now that is an amazing family photo. Totally took my breath away..felt like I was watching a Hallmark commercial.
Again I am reminded how grateful we all are to Josh Downs and his service to our country.
Posted by: Mary Ann Jenkins | November 27, 2011 at 08:50 PM
I couldn't agree more with Mary Ann's comment. Thank you so much for sharing these photos.
Posted by: libbi m. | November 27, 2011 at 09:09 PM
Thanks for sharing your family with the world. Love that Josh was able to 'join you'. May God continue to bless your family. Thanks Karen!
Posted by: Robin | November 27, 2011 at 09:21 PM
Beautiful documentation of a special occasion for your family. What is the print on top of the piano?
Posted by: Amy B | November 28, 2011 at 02:23 AM
Ahh Karen, Thanks for the peek into your amazing family. Your family and your husband were specifically mentioned at our thanksgiving table. Your photos as always are breath taking.
Posted by: Robin healy | November 28, 2011 at 03:32 AM
Love...especially the place card for Josh! SO glad he could join you for part of your day!
Posted by: Kelliann | November 28, 2011 at 05:58 AM
Hi Karen!
Teacher Kelly in Missouri here. Apples to Apples is a classroom staple for us....best way to teach those analogies!
:)
Love your pics!
Posted by: Kelly | November 28, 2011 at 06:55 AM
So grateful for you...and your timeless posts. We are blessed by you.
Posted by: janel | November 28, 2011 at 07:01 AM
oh Karen.....it was wonderful seeing Josh's face at the table even if it was on a moniter!! What great timing that was!!!!!! I am so happy that you have such a great family to be there for you when you need them most! My Thanksgiving's are not as full as yours!!!! I would love to have such a close family like that!!!!! Annie's hair looks so cute!!!! as always!!!! Hugs to you!!!!
Posted by: Nicole Ellisn | November 28, 2011 at 08:42 AM
Such a great share Karen!! Loved all the photos esp the ones around the table with Josh on the computer..!!
Posted by: teresa b | November 28, 2011 at 08:47 AM
beautiful pictures ... but no dancing?
Posted by: Nina Delaney | November 28, 2011 at 12:17 PM
Karen, I always look forward to pictures from your Thanksgiving celebration. Sorry there wasn't a football game this year but great pictures none the less. Thank you so much for sharing.
Posted by: Sara | November 28, 2011 at 01:54 PM
karen, i swear by all that's holy that i NEVER cry, EXCEPT when i read your posts! that was such a beautiful shot of your moms together, amazing! and we played apples to apples too @ robyn's. i brought it. i won;). and, this morning, before this post even, i got weepy as i heard this song because i thought of you and josh ( and yes, i know it talks about adoption/orphans, but still ) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBXY_rrbZyE. p.s. i made too many mashed potatoes too;)
Posted by: mandy friend | November 28, 2011 at 01:58 PM
Looks like a beautiful day and I loved Josh's place card in front of the computer...so cute. I know it would have been nice having him there but it looks like a wonderful family event and as usual your photos are wonderful. Love Annie's hair done as well...you look great and I'm glad you are in some pic's as well. Regards Kathy A, Brisbane, Australia
Posted by: Kathy | November 28, 2011 at 02:44 PM
I love the photo of Josh at the table with everyone. Made me cry! Beautiful photos as always!
Posted by: Kelli | November 28, 2011 at 04:45 PM
Aw...what a lovely Thanksgiving dinner and family. Looked like alot of people to me! It's wonderful that Josh could join you all! Ah the wonders of the internet.
Now, How do you have so much light in your pictures? Did you have dinner @ noon? Our pictures are grainy and have the inside orange tint....ugly...but we eat @ 430 and the sun is down.
I hope everyone got to take your mashed taters home!
Julie
Posted by: julee0613@yahoo.com | November 28, 2011 at 05:35 PM
Awww, Nellie. The skype with Josh Downs is priceless. I hope they fed them well over there....
Funny how we didn't have our annual "Big Game" either on Thanksgiving. I guess as we were short key family members too, it wasn't the same. But a great time spent together none the less! :)
Posted by: kat-in-texas | November 28, 2011 at 05:48 PM
That was so special...thank you for sharing! How awesome to see Josh "at" the table and the looks on everyone's faces. Very cool! Again, I forgot to take any pictures...I don't know what it is about Thanksgiving but I forget every year. I have a pic of my turkey on my phone :S !! I think it's because I'm so busy getting everything ready I just forget to grab my camera! Oh well....after everyone left and I realized once again that I didn't take any pics...Karen Russell's words came to mind...sometimes you just have to enjoy the moment & I did :)
Posted by: Tracy | November 28, 2011 at 08:49 PM
Total side note for your post - have you tried the new Oceanspray Cranberry Lime juice combo? Perfect with the addition of a little vodka. Happy holidays to you and your family both near and far. ps - annie's hair looks cute.
Posted by: Alison | November 29, 2011 at 11:55 PM
Love this Thanksgiving replay. I was going to comment (before I read yours) on the fact that mom and step-mom were in the same house. Our version of blendedness doesn't work this way. And how much easier it COULD be it they get along better. What a lovely gathering.
Posted by: JillT | November 30, 2011 at 12:30 PM
happy thanksgiving!!! awesome photos as always!
Posted by: Jona Panesa | November 30, 2011 at 06:57 PM
So, so many thanks to you and all miliary families. Your sacrifice and dedication to the USA is something we should all stive for. Thank you, thank you and most importantly, may God bless and watch over you all!!!!
Heidi
PS My Dad was a vet in WWII and I am only beginning to understand the dedication.
Posted by: HeidiB | November 30, 2011 at 07:58 PM
Karen, I wish your Josh Downs was sitting at your Thanksgiving table, but I'm happy to see that he was able to be a part of your day. I loved the photo of you with the kiddos...just beautiful! It's nice to see you on the other side of the camera for a change.
Posted by: Lisa G | November 30, 2011 at 08:00 PM
Oh, I have tears in my eyes. What a beautiful Thanksgiving! To have Josh Downs 'at' your table...the next best thing to having him there, don't you think.
Can I just say I think I'm in love with Uncle Brad - is he available? ;)
k8
Posted by: k8 | December 05, 2011 at 09:11 AM
I'm always blown away by photos of your family events. Everyone's having such an AWESOME time! You have a beautiful family.
Posted by: MK | December 07, 2011 at 10:35 PM