Thanksgiving 2011

Thanksgiving dinner was out at Mark and Shannon's new house this year.  It doesn't get much more festive than a Packer Game and appearance by none other than Mike McCarthy - the other Mike McCarthy, aka my dad.  Isn't it cool that my parents are divorced, yet come to family gatherings and get along?  One of the many things I am thankful for.

Mom and Mark put the meal together.  Two turkeys, ten pounds of potatoes, ten pies, wild rice stuffing, sweet potato casserole, and... did I mention ten pies?  

Cherry pies were made by Maddie & Nolan

Mmm

Although the meal is one of the must-haves on Thanksgiving, this year Green Bay took center stage in the family room on the big flat screen TV.  The vast majority of the family had some variation of green and gold attire on.  You know it's a Wisconsin Thanksgiving when the prayer and meal wait until half time and there are tables set in close proximity to the television. 

Speaking of the prayer...

 Thanksgiving Artwork by Nolan & Madeline

 

 

Unfortunately, this turkey was not pardoned!

Uncle Larry is shown here multitasking: 

Mashing Potatoes

Pretending not to pose for a picture

Listening to the Packers

And...

Forget the potatoes...

The Packers are Winning! 

Of course, a Packer win on Thanksgiving is something to be very grateful for; however, there are other things I found myself thinking about this year.  Even though it seems like it hasn't been a year, last year on Thanksgiving we spent the evening trying to help with Grandpa Tom's eulogy.  We didn't know it at that time, but Grandpa would not be the only one missing this year, that holiday traditions were going to have to change, and no matter what you're going through, you have to take time to count your blessings because you just never know what you could wake up without tomorrow.