Thanksgiving - Family & Food: What Could be Better?

The Original Eating Keatings!
Clockwise from top left: #1 Keri,

#2 Pat, #3 Maureen, #5 Kathleen,

#6 Laurie, #4 Nancy

As far as the modern definition goes, I have a big family. Blame it on the Catholics and the rhythm method. Blame it on the Irish. Blame it on the booze.  Or better yet, all of the above.  In any event, I LOVE my big family and wouldn't trade them for the world. My Dad is the oldest of seven awesome siblings, and my Mom is in the middle of six girls (they're the namesake Keatings).

Yes, six daughters!!  You might pity my grandfather for having so many girls, but you would be wrong.  Each and every one of them is a Daddy's girl, and he just LOVEs his girls. It's kind of crazy - they all look the same, sound the same, and are an amazing example of a true family unit. Sure, there are tiffs here and there, but when it comes down to it, they love each other, they love their husbands, their kids and/or pets, their parents, and they bring so many amazing things to the proverbial table (and the actual table, too).  

Grown Ups! L to R:#5, #3, #1,

(bride Liza), #2, #4, and #6

The next best thing about my amazing aunts, is my fantastic cousins. In a big family like ours, it's hard for outsiders to keep track of who's who.... so we use things like "I'm number three's number one" - translation: my mother is the third child, and I'm her oldest child. 

I'm getting ready for a mini-reunion with some family - my Sister and her husband are coming up from Georgia early next week, and then we're all heading up to south Jersey to meet up with Keating daughter #1, Keri, and her family - which includes Favorite Uncle, Jay,  my three awesome cousins Eliza, Margot, & Sarah (Eliza - pictured at her wedding on the right - just welcomed a new baby boy into the family!!!) and their guys. We'll be celebrating Thanksgiving a day late together, and I can't wait, especially to meet the new baby!  I'm still trying to decide on what to bring food-wise..... that will likely take some serious brainstorming this weekend. 

Come home soon, Ryan!

Thanksgiving is probably my favorite holiday.  I really appreciate the fact that this is a holiday that has been relatively uncorrupted by materialism, and that it stays true to its roots of appreciation, and gathering with those you love.  The awesome spread of food is a definite bonus though.  While this year will be great, I'll be missing my parents and littlest sister back home, as well as my west-coast family that I normally spend the holiday with.  Perhaps most importantly, our whole family will be missing my little sister's husband, Ryan, who is in the Army and currently deployed in Afghanistan.  I'll definitely be keeping all of our troops who are far from loved ones in my thoughts, but will be keeping Ryan especially in mind.  Come home safe, and soon, Ryan!!