We knew that this year's season of celebration would be different. Since we're now married, we would both have to take part in each other's family traditions. And that also means having to give up some of our own.
We really went back and forth about Thanksgiving and Christmas plans. Tommy's sister, Kerri, who has been married almost to the day a year longer than us, was going to have her baby right around Thanksgiving. So we knew everyone wanted us there for that awesome-ness, and we wanted to be there, too! But my parents are in a little town in Arkansas, far from family and close friends, so we kind of wanted to make them feel loved, too! Oh, the pulls of the heart! (hehehe) But we honestly felt so blessed to have so many loved ones that we want to be so many places!
Unfortunately, my mom's mom, (Oma!!) had to have heart surgery. Being the dutiful daughter she is, mom went to help her heal quickly. But when she got there, she realized she wouldn't be able to leave to have Thanksgiving in Arkansas. Dad let us know that he felt like mom would be so sad if she didn't see any of her immediate family, so we (sister Madison, Tommy, and I) should all go up to be with her. Well, the three of us talked and all had the same idea. Tommy and I would go be with Dad, and Madi would go be with mom. Perfect! Kinda different, but still great!
Sunday before Thanksgiving, Kerri was induced and she and Allen got their baby-sweet baby Kaelyn! healthy and happy! And we got to Skype that afternoon with her and see everyone for a minute. Everyone seemed tired and overjoyed. We can't wait til we get to join in that- with Kaelyn! We are not in a rush to have kids, yet!
So Wednesday we got off work early and drove about seven hours. And then we stayed the night in a town halfway to El Dorado called Hattiesburg. We thought it would be an older hotel and crossed our fingers that it wouldn't be dumpy- but it was brand new! And really nice! Such a nice surprise.
Thursday- Thanksgiving Day!- we drove about six more hours all the way into the thriving and booming metropolis of El Dorado, Arkansas. We had planned to both wear our UNC sweatshirts just for dad (since it's his alma mater) but it was too warm! So we looked like bums in t-shirts. But he was still glad to see us! And, of course, so was Peaches, the crazy dog.
And then we got to work!!
I was doing the "sides." So I had sent dad a shopping list earlier in the week and had all my recipes ready. I made my mom's yams, Tommy's mom's corn casserole, my aunt's green bean casserole, SisterShubert rolls (cheating, yes, but they're so good you really have to) and mixed up some bananas and strawberries. Dad was in charge of the meat!! He was already cooking ham when we had arrived (Peaches was drooling uncontrollably) and had also bought an indoor turkey fryer. Technically the ham was supposed to be back-up main course because none of us had ever fried a turkey, and the fryer was brand new!
Dad brought out the turkey. The NECK was included (barfed a little in my mouth) and then the innards fell out (more barf) and THEN Tommy had to cut off the extra skin that dangled from where the neck HAD been (no more barf left to barf).
During the cooking, we turned on Skype and got to see Mom, Madison, and Oma! They watched us cook and we all caught up on news. They also watched, along with Tommy and I, as Dad slowly lowered the turkey into the vat of boiling ... grease? Oil? Fat?
By the time everything was ready, we were really hungry and that makes everything taste even better!! I did NOT, however, enjoy seeing the inside ribs of the turkey. So I only had like... some of a leg. But I still counted the meal as a success, and it seemed like Tommy and Dad did, too!
I was kind of gross feeling from a head cold I was getting over and was getting a headache from the drive, so I went to bed around 8! Tommy and Dad ended up watching District 9 and bonded over sci-fi (which I like to pronounce as "see-fee") all hours of the night.
The next day, Tommy and I walked around downtown small town El Dorado. We stopped in the bakery and shared hot coco and a cinnamon roll- it was really, really cold! A surprise after the 80 degree weather the day before. We went in the little shops and took a few pictures, just strolled all bundled up. We met Dad for lunch at El Dorado Grill. I think it was mostly Mexican food, but I got chicken fingers and Dad got a hamburger, so you decide.
Also on Friday, we went to a play. "A Southern Christmas Carol" to be precise. It was... interesting. I thoroughly enjoyed it, but later we did make fun of certain singers, but only a little bit! The three of us are easily critical, but we were gracious and accepted the actors as they were. And really did have a good time, which was the whole point.
Saturday was also a full day. I also learned that my father has turned crazy. He asked if we wanted to go to the shooting range. To shoot. To shoot guns. And we went! We drove 45 minutes away to shoot. It was actually really amusing. Tommy and Dad both shot some kind of long gun and some kind of small black gun. I took a lot of pictures. And giggled while they set up little targets with what scraps of old stands they could find.
And then, for my enjoyment, we went to the Oil Museum!! See, El Dorado is an oil boom town. So we learned all about the gross awful crowded oil boom town that grew and grew. I thought it was pretty interesting. I think the men folk did too.... maybe.
And then. Sunday. We had to leave at like 7 in the morning. And drove 13 hours back to our little apartment in Gainesville. So far. But still good.
Whew. Done.
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