Happy Thanksgiving!

Sorry for the lapse in writing, but I've been kind of without internet lately.

This past weekend, I went home with Annie for her family Thanksgiving feast. I got to meet one of her cousins for the first time. We played games, and talked, and all-in-all, had a jolly old time. I even sang the "Aggie War Hymn", much to Annie's chagrin, to her 15-month old niece. The kid loved it. Really, she did.

Saturday night, we went to Annie's mom's house to play games. It was Annie, her mom, her sister, her cousin, and myself. We just got there, and Annie's sister and I started to get out the drinks. Her mom asked us what we were drinking - Annie and her sister we drinking Tilt-, and I showed her my flask, which had Maker's Mark in it.

To which her mom replied, "I worry about you, Big D."

So she should. I am dating her daughter.

My family Thanksgiving will be at my Uncle and Aunt's house, like it always is. Bubba brought his girlfriend, along with her baby (NOT my brother's). My cousin and her husband came with their 2 year old daughter, and their 8 month old twin boys. All in all, the 4 kids behaved very well, although, the 2 year old girl did manage to drop a large chunk of ice cream right into my boots. To which she exclaimed, "Uh oh!"

Uh oh is right. So I beat the snot outta her..............just kidding. I shook my head in disbelief and cleaned out the mess. That little girl couldn't have done that if she tried, which makes it all the more funny.

And the Cowboys won!!! But then again, was there any doubt?

For the most part, Thanksgiving was pretty standard, not including the ice cream in my boot, of course. It's nice to see the relatives again, but to me it's kind of hard coming up with small talk with people that you only see once to 4-5 times a year. Or is it just me? And, I really like seeing them, I do.

But I've been realizing something over the last few years......I really don't even know my relatives. Sure, I've known my Uncle and Aunt for my entire life (well, not my uncle, but I've known him since I was 6 or 7), but I really couldn't tell you what makes them tick. Or what they like or dislike on anything but the most superficial level.

For instance, my uncle likes hunting, but I don't know what he likes to do during his free time. Odd isn't it? And can you really get to know someone on an average of about 2.45 visits/year for 31 years? I don't think that you can.

Another example is one of my cousins, who is 4 years older than I. I always looked up to him when I was a kid, kind of like an older brother. So growing up, and until about 3 years ago, I saw him about 2 twice a year. I really like him, but 3-5 hours of hanging out twice a year really doesn't cut it for maintaining any "real" type of relationship. Does it???

Sorry about the pondering, but this is something that's been eating at me for the last few years.

I really love Thanksgiving, but I love Christmas even more. Maybe it's because Christmas is always at our house. Maybe it's because we always celebrate it at night. Maybe it's because it's cold outside then. And maybe it's because I like seeing my family opening their presents, and all chatting together.

Keep on keepin' on