Nov 18, 2011

Thanksgiving Traditions

A quick trot down memory lane... Casey and I have been married for over six years now. But, this will be our eighth Thanksgiving together! Our first was while we were dating and in college and we even got to enjoy a college kitchen version of a Thanksgiving feast. Even though it was my first holiday away from my parents, I had a really enjoyable time.

Over the last several years, we have had the blessing of sharing the Thanksgiving holiday with our extended families as well as enjoying a simple celebration with our own little family. This is going to be one of those quiet and simple celebrations with just us. We are looking forward to the day off from both of our jobs to spend together! I know Casey is looking forward to some mashed potatoes and gravy!

Besides our traditional foods of turkey, mashed potatoes, and apple pie, we are still in "evolving" mode of creating our Thanksgiving family traditions. There is usually a football game that Casey watches or follows online (since we have no TV channels). I do the majority of the cooking...and clean-up. I'll try not to be too frustrated with this last part! We'll probably even break out a Christmas movie in the evening to begin settling down before bed.

I have a few ideas of fun traditions to begin when our children are older. Cooking our feast with my kids would be a lot of fun. I certainly wouldn't mind a few extra hands doing the dishes! We might all play some board games. Casey would probably enjoy leading our family in a game of football in the yard. The important thing is remembering all the blessings we have and enjoying each other.

One tradition that we do have is a Thanksgiving Journal. I began "The Reeves Family Book of Thanksgiving" in 2009. On the first page I titled it and wrote out 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. In 2009 and 2010, I wrote entries about what we were thankful for in our lives from that year.

~2009~
"We are thankful for our latest blessing of a sweet baby coming next summer." This entry was about Ella who was born July 2010!

~2010~
"We are thankful for Casey's job...our beautiful daughter Ella...Sean and Logan..." I also mentioned our shared celebration with my parents and siblings who came to our home for Thanksgiving.

"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18  

What are your Thanksgiving family traditions? What are some traditions you hope to cultivate?
♥ Shari

3 comments:

  1. This is actually our 8th Thanksgiving together; 7th as a married couple. Love you, nice post.

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  2. We have been going to grandma Phillips (Phil's mom's side) for a few years now. After eating too many pieces of gma's homemade pie, we all take a walk down the gravel road. They live out in the country and it is so peaceful! We go no matter the weather, two years ago we were throwing snowballs while walking. This year I was happy for the warm sun :)

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  3. Thanksgiving is always special when shared with loved ones. I have fond memories of big family gatherings. And, a simple family walk together sounds wonderful! I'm glad your family had a nice Thanksgiving Alicia!

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