Eyler Thanksgiving

It's been tradition since Dale and I were married to spend Thanksgiving Day at his mother's. This year our niece Dottie and her two youngest children made the eight hour drive north to spend the holiday with us. Ashton bought herself a Nintendo DS with the help of birthday money from Dale and I. A Nintendo DS is on the top of Kaylie's Christmas list this year, so she and Ashton spent time playing while the meal was being finalized.

Our menu:

turkey

stuffing

mashed potatoes

gravy

sweet potato casserole

barbecue green beans

golden honey wheat rolls

cranberry sauce

succotash

turnips

pumpkin brownies

pumpkin pie

French apple pie

pistachio cake

After the meal Dottie and I played around with our cameras, experimenting with the macro mode. This eye belongs to Avery!

Most of Dottie's time was spent resting, wrapped in blankets to stay warm. Soon after arriving to Maryland, Wednesday evening, she became ill. Kassie spent her Thanksgiving Day doing what she does every other day of the year -- reading a book!

Once the dishes were done Dale and Bonnie watched their favorite Bluegrass performers on DVD while the rest of us complained about it! LOL! We usually all sit together and watch a Christmas movie, but this year Bluegrass won out!

Cousin Jennifer's pumpkin roll

Ashton asked me earlier in the day if there would be pumpkin roll at our Thanksgiving meal. I sadly told her no since Jennifer and her family wouldn't be joining us this year. Jennifer always made that as part of our meal. Once we got to Nan Nan and Aunt Bonnie's house and Aunt Bonnie started telling us the dessert menu, Ashton was delightfully surprised to hear that Jennifer had made TWO pumpkin rolls and sent them for us to enjoy. Fortunately for Ashton, there was a whole roll left over, and Aunt Bonnie sent it home with us!
Ashton enjoyed a second and third slice of Cousin Jennifer's pumpkin roll once we got home. Lucky for Brady, she was willing to share two slices with him as well.

Jennifer, do you realize you started a new Eyler Family tradition? Even if you're not at the meal, you're pumpkin roll better be on the table!

Thanksgiving Day tradition

The fight for the turkey skin started years before Brady was born. This Thanksgiving Day battle is an Eyler Family tradition that Brady is now a part of. Brady's main competition this year was Aunt Bonnie. They both hovered over Dale as he carefully carved the turkey, making sure he didn't take any of the skin for himself!
This year Avery and Bryson expressed an interest in getting in on the action. Next year we may need more that one turkey just to have enough skin to go around!