Life: Idiotropic

Thanksgiving, like all holidays, is one of those days when we like to gather with family and friends. Living in Germany doesn't afford us the opportunity to celebrate with our "real" family back "home," so we just adopt. Enough holidays together and our friends evolve into family. This was our 4th Thanksgiving here, but our third in our house and our third here with the Shanks who have now reached "family" status. Alice makes the best salads and Greg makes delicious cranberry sauce. Plus, our kids get along.

Obviously, Thanksgiving isn't exactly a German holiday and we're not exactly at an American base, so the guys don't get the day off and the kids are in school. And there is no way that I am going to "slave" in a kitchen all day just to plunk it all on the table after a long tiring day and go to sleep. It's supposed to be a day long family ordeal complete with naps and picking at the leftovers. In the past, we've celebrated on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, but this year we did it early and had our feast on the Saturday before. We had all the fixin's - 2 turkeys, mashed and sweet potatoes, gravy, green beans, stuffing, cranberry sauce, rolls, apple and pumpkin and pecan pies... enough to stuff. And all delicious. And unlike most Thanksgivings here, we were mellow and relaxed with just a few close friends over and no big crowds. I like the big crowds, but it was nice to relax and just enjoy the day. The kids all ran around and got along though they wouldn't pose for a photo. Too bad. They're all cuties!

Back row: Elise, Thomas, Luci
On couch: Marlene, Arianna, Julian, Janie, and Alice's arm.
My oldest was MIA - upstairs on the computer chatting with friends.