When Grandpa Ruins Thanksgiving

This is likely the last Thanksgiving we'll have with iKeith's family for a while.  They are moving to California at the end of the month and fabulous west coast vacations are not in our budget.

We decided to host Thanksgiving in our tiny apartment because the house that they are moving out of is a wreck!  They are in the process of packing and having garage sales.  

I issued a Thanksgiving Throwdown to iKeith....we were each making a turkey, so I pre-ordered 2 well loved and cared for free-range, hormone and chemical free turkeys from a local specialty grocer who shall remain name less.  I was disappointed to discover that my turkeys were frozen when I picked them up.  If I wanted frozen turkey I would have saved myself $40 and bought them at Safeway.  I didn't want to lose my $10 deposit so I took them home and warmed them with my hair dryer.

Say Hello to my Little Friend

I also made a couple pies.  One of them was really ugly but taste amazing.  I'll be posting my recipes on The Rookie Foodie in a few days.  I used many Pioneer Woman recipes and they were all fabulous.  My family is now in love with her.  And me!

iKeith did some amazing things to prepare for this holiday.  The first thing he did was volunteer to go to the store to get the needed grocery items.  And he took the children with him.  The day before Thanksgiving.  He's crazy!   He brought home 10 pounds of nuts and I was scrambling to find a container for them.  

He also vacuumed the entire apartment.  I thought this was so sexy!  He was rewarded appropriately.

Because I was anticipating that a certain family member would not be on his best behavior....I relied heavily on Mommy's Little Helper.

The dinner was wonderful, the dessert was delicious and the drama was plentiful.  I had two drinks in front of me most of the night because that's how I deal.  I suppose it runs in my family.

Beer AND wine. Yes please.

There was arguing, harassment and my husband walked out and took my children with him to escape the bad behavior.  I was a referee.  Words were said, emotions were running hot and then...someone passed out at the table.  

We never even got to say what we were thankful for....

What I love most about family drama is the extraordinary excuses that people come up with for bad behavior.  My FIL's brother is being a bit of a pill and has banned my brother in law Robert from entering the state of California.  We were told that it's because of Uncle Terry's dead wife.   

Dear Uncle Terry....

Gosh it's going to be quiet around here when they move!