Growing up as a Navy Brat, I got used to not seeing extended family during the holidays. And although my father has been retired for 12 years, I guess I got used to sticking close to home during the holidays. This Thanksgiving we decided to break the pattern and go to Tennessee for Thanksgiving. My mom’s sister, her husband and two kids live in Gallatin TN, about thirty minutes from Nashville. Although I would not recommend driving to Tennessee, getting to see family was amazing. We played games, took walks and took lots of family pictures. I am very thankful for those four days and the years worth memories we made.
These pictures were taken at the Opryland Hotel in Nashville. The first is of my family, the second of my Aunt and her family and the third of me and my cousins.
Beautiful family :) My family, aunts, uncles, cousins and their children are always together for the holidays. Although, I do love getting together, especially for the food, I don't know any other way. I was just telling my family that it would be nice to break that tradition and travel over a holiday. Disney for Christmas or some place not expected for our seasons. To me that would be just as special as the traditional get-together.
ReplyDeleteSarah...what a great way to spend the holidays with as much family as possible! I also did the same, but we had 3 cousins come to Kansas City to be with us (so I didn't have to travel).
ReplyDeleteWe have a small family so having even more family members around made the holidays that much more special for my family. My one cousin considers my mom his mom now as she has passed away. And, the other 2 cousins consider my mom their grandma as she has passed.
Having family around at the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays has always been important for my family and it looks like you all had a special holiday time as well!
Sarah,
ReplyDeleteTennessee is a long drive, but obviously well worth it for your family! Isn't that what the holiday's are all about?
I have LOTS of family and we get together every other year for Thanksgiving. I love and treasure my time with my side of the family. This year we went to my husbands family home for the holiday. I love them dearly but they do not do the "traditional" thing. We often travel have odd main dishes or travel between many family members. I do like breaking up the routine but really love the more traditional family time.
ReplyDeleteAs Colette has said, our whole family still gets together over the holidays. When my wife and I got together, she had a hard time adjusting to a big family. She has a small faimly and they all live out of state. Family is a very special thing that cannot be replaced.
ReplyDeleteColette and Dave,
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting how opposite we are when it comes to family. I remember when we first met how jealous I was that you two live so close. My brother is all the way in PA and it kills me.
Cindy, I like the idea of doing it every other year. Financially traveling every year would be rough but if we had two years to save it would help. We have also talked about doing the non-traditional thing and all traveling to a new vacation location. Family reunions are awesome!
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