Early Thankgsving at Mom's

My mom is the hostess with the most-est!! Mom managed to fit 30+ people in her home for an early Thanksgiving dinner. Kristie's family (6), Josh's family (5 + 1/2), my family (4), Jo's family (5 + 1/2), Carly's family (2), Jack & Carol's family (6), Grandma & Grandpa Gourley (2), Kristi Lou + Brett (Spencer's sister & boyfriend (#91 on BYU football)), and Dadda all joined together on Sunday, November 18th, to celebrate family and the spirit of Thanksgiving.

Memories of Thanksgiving

We used to go to Grandma & Grandpa Gourley's house for an early Thanksgiving dinner - Grandma would always make real homemade mashed potatoes, and we'd always argue with Grandpa over the wishbone. He'd set it in the kitchen window so it could dry, but it was always within our sight and such a temptation! Grandma had her kitchen arranged so the little kids (that would be me) could sit at the table, while the adults (parents) could sit in the dinning room and keep their eyes on us. Soon, the family grew: my Uncle George and his kids moved to Utah from Oregon, and my Aunt Linda and kids move to Utah from Indiana, and the "little kids" were spread across the great-room. Grandma managed to keep her cool while fixing Thanksgiving Dinner - the full monte - for over 30 people!

We'd gobble down our food and then clean up to play "BINGO." If you were lucky, you could sit near Grandpa in the dinning room and "whisper" the number you needed for a "BINGO." Then, miraculously, the next number Grandpa called out would be yours! Grandma had 6 presents for each person - that's over 180 presents to find, purchase, wrap, identify, and handout!! She was always kept on her toes handing out presents, because once Grandpa got rolling with BINGO, he didn't slow down!

But, as it always seems to do, time flew by, families grew, and after celebrating "early Thanksgiving" at Grandma & Grandpa's house with all our spouses, our children, aunts, uncles, cousins, and their children, it was too overwhelming and Grandma & Grandpa stopped decided to let their children continue the "early Thanksgiving" tradition.

So, Mom's been having her early Thanksgiving dinner for about 4 years now. Some years the family swells, others the family is small. When Tony and I moved back to Utah (Nov 2005), we had early Thanksgiving dinner with my Aunt Cindy and cousins. We were remembering fun times with Grandma & Grandpa "next door" Brown - Grandma passed away the end of May 2005, and Grandpa passed away early November 2005. Last year I was on bedrest and Tony and I had our own Thanksgiving dinner at home. No matter the company, the spirit is always the same: THANKFULNESS.

This year, Mom requested each family bring a side dish - ours was a sweet potato souffle (a GREAT recipe from Joanna, of course) - and everyone was able to come. Everyone that is except my brother, Jason, who lives in NY. Jason has lived in NY for over 13 years - he's an artist and loves living in NY, but I miss him so very much - Jason, you were missed!

The Greatest Great Grandma & Grandpa!

Grandma & Grandpa Gourley, 80 years old, surrounded by the Brown, Rosser, Chrisman, and Kemp great-grandchildren!!

Kemp Kuties + Grandma & Grandpa Gourley