Day #55: Thankful

   This year we hosted Thanksgiving at our house. I originally just invited my parents, thinking that I didn't want to interfere with my sisters' plans for Thanksgiving with husbands and in-laws. I thought I was being thoughtful, I didn't want them to feel obligated to take time off work and fly here to see us. Well, a week after my parents agreed to come out, my sisters and their husbands decided they wanted to come out too; and why hadn't I invited them in the first place (I'm just so inconsiderate)?!?. Then, my whole crazy family decided it would be cheaper, and well, just more fun, to drive out. A 24 hour drive. Straight through. No stops. The day before Thanksgiving. Yeah...as I write this, they are still an hour or so from  home, safe and sound, to Texas. We also had our good family friends, the H's join us. However, they are slightly more sane than my family, and took a non stop flight to get here. First class. With a glass of wine. That is clearly the better travel choice here.
   Needless to say, Thanksgiving was a whirlwind. Everyone arrived Wednesday night just in time for dinner, and just in time to kiss my kiddos goodnight before putting them to bed. My sisters and I got up the next day and ran the Turkey Trot- which is one of my favorite things to do the morning of Thanksgiving. I feel better about all of the stuffing, sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole, corn casserole, and pie that I eat the rest of the day when I begin my day running 6 miles.... like I deserve that third second piece of pie. And I do deserve it. And yes, 75% of our Thanksgiving sides are casseroles. Translation=butter is involved.
   Our house was maxed out with 12 people, but I LOVED every minute of it. I'm thankful that I have family who wants to drive 24 hours straight to spend the holidays with us. I'm thankful the H's, who are not related, chose to fly out here to spend this holiday with us and my crazy road-tripping family. Too bad Thanksgiving is always overshadowed by Christmas, because between the casseroles, Turkey Trot, family and friends, and pumpkin spice lattes, Thanksgiving really is my favorite holiday of the year.