Today is Thanksgiving, and I expect the company to start arriving roughly around ten o'clock.  By "company", I mean my parents from across town, my sister and her husband and two kids, and my two brothers and their wives and children.  There will roughly be about a dozen of us.

Hubs has been busy in the kitchen while I get the kids ready; I truly appreciate his thoughtfulness.  We have two kids: Charley (10) and Charissa (6).  

It isn't easy because Charissa and Charley know that today is a special day.  They are both off from school and they know that it is a holiday.  They know that they will see cousins, as well as their grandparents, aunts, and uncles.  They don't get to see them except maybe three times a year (usually at Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas).

For our Thanksgiving feast, we are having turkey, choice of yams or mashed potatoes (with a choice of brown or white gravy or just plain), green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, stuffing (cornbread or regular with sage), pumpkin pie (for dessert), lettuce salad, and rolls.  We will also have various kinds of cake (also for dessert).

The kids will be wired for weeks once the sugar hits .... they also know that tomorrow Santa Claus will arrive (Charissa, anyway; Charley is too old for that kind of stuff), and they will probably be busy dreaming up their Christmas lists.  Hopefully they won't kill me like they did last year .... :)

After shopping tomorrow, we will go out to eat, then come home for a few hours, then go out again in the evening for our city's annual "Parade of Lighs" and Lighting of the Christmas Tree and Fireworks Extravaganza.  It is going to be a busy day full of fun and surprises (not to mention, sore feet from all the walking we will probably do!).

Well, whoops! The doorbell is chiming.  Seems that the company is starting to arrive earlier than anticipated!  

The fun starts now!!  Happy Thanksgiving to y'all!!