[Pollyanna]

I have to work from 7 pm Wed night until 7:30 am Thanksgiving morning, so I will be going home from work and taking a nap for a couple of hours. Then my husband, my father, and I will be driving 40 miles or so to my cousin's house, where my father's family are gathering for a carry in dinner. We usually have somewhere between 30-50 people present. Cousin and his wife will cook the turkey and mashed potatoes and maybe a couple more side dishes; the rest of us will carry in 2-3 or more dishes plus drinks, paper plates, cups, etc.. There will be tables set up in the garage, and the food will be served buffet style. We each have our special dishes to bring; mine are 1) layered taco dip and chips 2) noodles 3) chocolate pie 4) honey rolls 5) broccoli salad.

Our family holds several get-togethers each year; New Year's Day is at my Uncle Ivan's, Easter and the fall weenie roast are at my house, Thanksgiving is at cousin Bill's, Christmas day and sometimes the 4th of July is at cousin Laurie's. We also hold get togethers when one of the kids comes home on leave from the service, or when a family member from out of state comes to visit. Always a good time!