New Traditions

Four of the six cousins.  One was home sick and the other was off doing her own thing.

Rebecca off doing her own thing.

The kids doing cool worksheets that Aunt Char printed out.

Emma and Nathan chilling in the frosty winter air.

So it isn't just the trees in her yard that Emma wants to climb.

This Thanksgiving was very different for our family.  For as long as I can remember my aunt and uncle have hosted Thanksgiving at their house whether it was in northern NJ when we were kids or at the shore as it has been since 1986.  My aunt and uncle have been going to Florida for the past several years from January to May.  This year is no different except that they are going on a cruise this year and were leaving for Florida on December 1.  Because of them leaving so early, the thought of hosting 10 additional people and then winterizing their house for 5 months wasn't something they wanted to do.

So, my Mom agreed to host this year.  Things turned out really well.  Everyone had a great time and with a few modifications to the dining room, everyone was able to sit at the table.  The food was great, but even more important was that we were together.  

Growing up in a family without having cousins, it is always a treat to watch our children forming that close cousin bond.  Even though they don't see their Wexford cousins very often, they really do get along.  My oldest brother brought his daughter over on Friday to play and stayed for a couple hours.  The best part was taking them to the park down the street and watching the kids roll down hills.  Good times were had by all.

Even though the traditions have changed, it was quickly realized that it is not about the location we have to worry about but rather the family getting together.