I don't know about you, but I LOVE Christmas!  However, I truly feel that even though everyone makes it a point to post their "#monthofthanks" all over social media, Thanksgiving really does get forgotten.  Between radio stations playing Christmas music starting November 1, all major retailers selling Christmas stock in mid-October, and Black Thursday Friday having a complete overhaul on Thanksgiving day, it really takes away from the holiday that I hold nearest and dearest to my heart!

The image[s] above shows my whole family together having a blast!  While it's not a 100% accurate representation of everyone currently in my family, it represents the joy and fun we have whenever we all get together.

I have family spread around the country in Texas, Kansas, and Illinois, and the only time of year everyone really makes it a point to get together is Thanksgiving.  Our tradition is to take turns traveling to one of the siblings' houses (my aunts/uncles) and having a revolving host.  This way we take turns on traveling so not one family always seems to travel.  This particular year (shown above) we were also celebrating my grandfather's 80th birthday so we rented a house on the lake near their home outside of Dallas/Fort Worth.

The spirit of this particular holiday is found in the traditions.  Dad cooking breakfast for everyone.  Grandma making the gravy and dressing, while overseeing EVERYTHING else going on in the kitchen.  The biting of the turkey leg by my mom and her two sisters.  The yearly photo shoot of the girl cousins.  Playing an insane amount of Cesspool Rummy (a variation of the version we play can be found here) .  Watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and then the Dallas Cowboys game (always hoping for a win).

And then there's Friday....

A few years ago, we didn't want to do the same old 'turkey sandwich leftovers throughout the weekend,' so we decided to try something different.  We call it Fiesta Friday!  It consists of guac, turkey fajitas, queso, dips, fiesta music, margaritas, and even more card playing!  It's loud, obnoxious, a bit crazy, and totally amazing every single year.  We always invite friends in the area to come and join in the fiesta and carry on late into the evening!

[I think it's safe to say that my favorite part about the Thanksgiving Holiday is Fiesta Friday!]

We don't brave the stores in hopes of a great deal on Black Friday, in fact we rarely leave the house after Wednesday.  It just isn't what we do.  It's not our family's tradition.  I think the most beautiful thing about this holiday is the different traditions every family has.  The subtle differences in the feast we all take part in and the stories that are shared among everyone.

There isn't a single memory of Thanksgiving with my family that I don't enjoy reflecting on [except when I had the flu so we weren't able to travel to be with my extended family].  And although I have a very deep love of Thanksgiving, it always marks the start of the Christmas season.  Once Thanksgiving is over, I blast the Christmas music, decorate my house, light my holiday candles, and bake my favorite Christmas cookies.  Christmastime is near...