Thanksgiving and Family Traditions

My favorite holiday is Thanksgiving! I think it is because every year I go to Farmer, NC to the farm that my Grandmother Esther Garner Davis grew up on and see my family on my Mother's side. This year we had 57 family members of all ages come. Everyone brings food and we spend the day catching up. We were the first to arrive. Thomas, my Grandma's brother and his wife Trudy who live in S.C. had spent the night and had the fire going in the fire place, and food cooking. One family at at time comes driving up the long driveway and we can't wait to see who it is.

Chit chatting in the kitchen, my Luke, Amy, Ann, Thomas, my Dad Jim, my Mom Teena, and Trudy.

Me and Lilly
Tammy Garner had the house all decorated beautifully for the holiday.

Jonah, Rosemary and Lilly checking out the Christmas tree.

Craig, Thomas, and Emily.

I was so thrilled that Grace Thornburg came! She is my Grandma's first cousin.

My cousin Shelly's youngest, Callen and Tammy Garner. Tammy is the one who had the house decorated so beautifully.

Luke and his cousin.

Colin, Ethan, and Jonah spent most of the morning before lunch playing in a big Magnolia tree.

Cousins playing outside waiting for everyone to get there to eat.

My Dad and his three granddaughters, Adelyn, Lilly & Rosemary.

Finally everyone had arrived. We took a group photo, which I hope to have a copy of soon, the food was blessed and we started to make our plates to eat.

After lunch Wallace Garner gave wagon rides around the farm.

Others like Trudy and Ersal caught up on what had been going on in each other's family.

Dad, Adelyn, Rosemary, and Shane.

Then it was time for the annual Ball Game.

After a couple of innings Luke decided he wanted to play and much to my surprise he hit the ball. Then he didn't know which way to run and started to go to third base so I yelled for him to go the opposite way, it was funny.

Jonah did a great job hitting the ball!

Most of my cousins that didn't play watched from the side lines.

Randy and Tommy talking while Ersal plays with Callen. Lilly and Mom are to the side.

Shelly & Callen rocking by the fire while Mary and Debbie wash up dishes.

The time came to pack up and go home. Lilly, Rosemary, and Dad waited on the porch while we got everything together. What a great day. We are so blessed to have such a great tradition and family! I am so glad my children are able to grow up knowing who their cousins are and are able to play on this farm that has given me so many great memories!