un-american

we had a really nice thanksgiving. we enjoyed yummy appetizers, watched football and played barbies for the better part of the day. then we all got dressed and headed out to dinner.

we took some family pictures, although delaney wasn't really in the mood...

and eventually boycotted the family snapshots. (which should have been an indicator of what was to come as we were about to sit down to dinner.)

poppy got tired from the tryptophan...

ellie ate scrumptious chocolate cake.

and delaney was a lunatic. literally. at one point she was lying on the floor at the base of the buffet saying "i do! i do!". she didn't get to "do" and made us pay for the rest of the meal by trying to escape from our table for the duration of the meal.

and last but not least, momma was in thanksgiving heaven (if there is one).

cue story:

(which i will tell at the risk of letting you think that i might possibly be un-American)

for the better part of my life, i have had a strong aversion to thanksgiving. most of the activities surrounding this day actually cause me to be, how shall i say this, UN-thankful. i'm not typically a huge "woman's rights" kind of girl, but this holiday pushes me strongly in that direction. there is something really unappealing about women slaving for days on end planning the perfect feast. then the day arrives and the average male plops his tush down on the couch to enjoy the game- while the above mentioned women continue to bust a move in the kitchen. first is the round of appetizers, then the dinner, then the dessert, then the dishes, then the post dinner sandwiches, then the post dinner sandwiches dishes... that's a whole lotta UN-thankful for this momma.

i should also mention that the average turkey day menu contains ONE item that this momma really likes. i am a fan of turkey. i am not so much a fan of stuffing, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie, green bean casserole, yams... you get the picture. so the idea of doing all of the work for a dinner that i don't care for is less than appealing. it is, for me, UN-thankful inducing.

i am also apposed to the amount of food consumption that this holiday promotes. it isn't natural! it is way too much eating for me to handle.

BUT TODAY... today was thanksgiving heaven! the buffet that we went to had the perfect variety! instead of lots of things that make me feel UN-thankful, this buffet was filled with lots of my favorite things.

and so today, i celebrated MY FIRST gratitude inducing thanksgiving! my belly was delighted by caesar salad, oysters on the half shell, shrimp cocktail, ciabbata rolls and perfectly cooked prime rib.

and i was full of thanks.

P.S.- although not a fan of thanksgiving, i am a huge fan of thankfulness. i try to be that all year long.