Thanksgiving 2011

Thanksgiving has had a hard run with the rampant commercialism in our country. From Hobby Lobby to Marshalls, it seems every store starts setting up for Christmas after Halloween, or sometimes even before!  Our family, however, has always enjoyed cherishing this holiday. When I was much younger, and my Granddaddy Sharp was still alive, Thanksgiving meant eating huddled together in the dining room at the farm - each of us working hard not to poke our neighbor with our elbows as warm cornbread and turkey was passed around the table, among other delicious sides. I always miss Granddaddy Sharp on Thanksgiving. This year, however, we remained thankful. With Sadie quickly approaching her second birthday, I could think of no better way to spend the day than in my parents' dining room, watching Sadie be given her first taste of sweet potatoes with marshmallows. Since I just had my gall bladder out one week prior, Sadie and I couldn't make the Hamon hunting trip, so we told Daddy to go on and we had fun with the Cox/Jeter side of the family. Sadie enjoyed all the food, but we were quite sure she probably ate at least four dinner rolls. 

Mmmmmmm. Rolls.

Sadie, Gammy, and Aunt Margie

 When Gammy offered Sadie the marshmallows from the sweet potatoes (never mind the potato part), Sadie looked at the white gooey mass and said, "egg!" Close enough. She tasted it and was seemingly hooked. I'm guessing she realized I have been holding out on her with my organic cheddar bunnies and fruit leathers.

Sweet potato marshmallows!

 After lunch, Sadie enjoyed playing with Uncle Steve. She is really starting to warm up to him and we were all delighted when she said, "HI! STEVE!" Sadie played a tune on the piano and Uncle Steve was proud, no doubt, as he is extraordinarily and musically gifted. Sadie comes by her natural musical ability honestly!

Playing piano with Uncle Steve

CAWWWW! CAWWWW!

Sadie's Rendition of Elmo's World

Sadie also enjoyed playing with the newest Santas Uncle Steve was working on. They were small and lightweight - making them ideal dolls for our little doll. She knows who Santa is now, so she would pick up a Santa, look at us, then exclaim, "SANTA! See it?! SANTA!"

Tiny Santas carved by Uncle Steve

Two Santas!

 After the turkey was "gobbled" up and the pies (pecan, chocolate, and pumpkin) were eaten (I helped Dad make them! My first pies!), everyone settled in living room while Granddaddy took Sadie on a little walk to help her fall asleep. He brought her back and set her down on a little pallet with an Aggie blanket wrapped around her cherubic face. We were convinced she was dreaming of the Aggies beating the hell outta t.u. for the final Thanksgiving rivalry game for who knows how long.

Mimi and Paw Paw...and Molly

...while sweet dreams of the Aggies danced in her head...

 As Sadie dreamed, Gammy took advantage of afternoon sun to capture some of our own family beauties. I love the picture she took of Aunt Granny and two (out of three) sisters. There is just something beautiful about family relationships that can survive the storms of life and natural weathering that comes with living in an imperfect world. Also, having no sisters, I am especially interested in this special and unique bond.

Sisters! Aunt Margie, Granny, and Aunt Doreen

My beautiful cousin, Brittany (sophomore year)

What a beautiful family! Uncle Steve, Granny, Aunt Leslie, and Brit

"CHEEEEEEEEESE!"

 After Sadie woke and everyone eventually returned to their homes, we returned to our own abode. Gammy and Granddaddy joined us as I was still strictly prohibited from lifting Sadie - making night time routines nearly impossible by myself. We made it home in time to enjoy the last rivalry game of the Aggies vs. t.u. How strange that Sadie might not ever see this match up again? Thanks to power struggles, greed, and a lack of any really good playoff system in college football, college teams are moving around and the Aggies are headed to the SEC. We lost the game, but won half time. With Uncle Austin having been in the Aggie band for four years at A&M, we always grow nostalgic when we see Bugle Rank leading the Ags onto the field. Sadie didn't care who won, she just enjoyed screaming her new phrase, "Gig 'Em, Aggies!" It was the perfect end to a sweet day of family, and although we missed being with Daddy, we knew he was having fun with Uncle Ryan, Auntie Jordan, Su Su, and Poppy in South Texas and we'd see them soon. Happy Thanksgiving, 2011, and Gig 'Em Aggies. Whoop!

Sadie's attempt at the Gig 'Em sign "Gig 'Em, Aggies!"

TOUCHDOWN, AGGIES!!!!!