This year we spent Thanksgiving in Spokane with my family. It was rather larger than normal, with 13 people all crammed into my Aunt Barbara's living room. It was a tight squeeze but we managed, and we had a nice time!
Gary was introduced to our family's favorite Thanksgiving pastime: looking at Black Friday ads. This is a big deal in my family, as most of our Christmas gifts are bought on Black Friday. We also get Christmas money from our Uncle David to spend during the sales if we want. Now that I'm married, I get more money, but I have to share it with my family. *Sigh* :D
Anyways, we all spend time looking at the ads, and then we write down what we want, where it is, how much, and when the sale starts, and Barbara goes through them all and hands out assignments and money to whoever is going shopping in the morning. My sister Sarah and I woke up at 2:30am to go shopping at JC Penny's, which was pretty laid back as far as Black Friday goes,because most people think it opens at 4am instead of 3am. So lucky us. Poor Aunt Barb started shopping at midnight and didn't get done until 9am! She didn't have as much help as she usually does because people are either getting old and boring (or they just like their sleep or something) or they had to work.
Later in the day after we went back to collect Gary and Peri, we went to Jo Ann's at 6am. we waited in line for 2 hours to get fabric cut. It was pretty horrible, but we found ways to make the time go. I'm sure the other people in line wished we would be quiet though! Anyway, it was a lot of fun, we got most everything we wanted to get, and we had a lot of quality shopping/bonding time.
Peri also got to spend a lot of time with her Oma, many aunts and uncles, and also her cousins, who are very jazzed now that Peri is awake and happy to be played with. Jeilyn, who is 6 years older than Peri, is especially doting; she loves to coo at Peri and entertain her with toys. Jeilyn's brother, who is 3 years older than Peri, loves to stroke her hair and steal her toys. Most of the time Peri doesn't mind.
I would have pictures of the whole fandango, but we forgot our camera. We did take family pictures though, since Thanksgiving is the only time everyone in my family is present. This year Peri and Gary got to be in it! So I'll post that as soon as I get it from my aunt.
We had a lovely time, and we're looking forward to going to see Grandma for Christmas this year!
That sounds like what my family does too. They don't seem as serious about it the last few years because all the kids are growing up. I have fond memories of it though. We also went black Friday shopping.
ReplyDeleteYay! I'm glad someone else has a family as strange as mine!
ReplyDeleteOur family doesn't do that... but I had fun with Steph and her family that one year! Good times, good times. :)
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