Thanksgiving. . . we put the FUN in dysfunctional!

I'm backtracking a LONG ways here, and writing about Thanksgiving 2012 because I think it was a pivotal event in my life. So, the definition of "family" has been modified again and again to make sure everyone in the whole world is included in some type of family or another. I think this Thanksgiving used the most liberal definition possible. 

We had Thanksgiving at our house, and here is a list of the guests as they relate to me. . . 

-My brother, his family, and his children

-My cousin's husband and their 4 kids

-My husband (Jeff), biological son, and my 2 step kids

-My gay ex-husband and his partner

-My parents-in-law

-My father-in-law's brother

-My brother-in-law, his wife, and baby

Did I leave anyone out? I think we had about 22 people there, and it was a hodge podge of people who were and were not related in any way. It also sounds like it could be the recipe for disaster, but it ended up being such a fun, warm gathering! It was kind of weird to be introducing my current mother-in-law to my ex-husband's boyfriend, but we all ended up having a great time and the conversation was jovial. 

 This turkey had been in a horrible car accident not 18 hours before this picture was taken. My ex-husband (Carl) and his partner (Mike) bought and prepared about 3/4 of the Thanksgiving meal. On their way out of Yakima the night before Thanksgiving, they got in a car accident that totalled their car, and I got a panicked phone call from Carl saying they probably couldn't make it in time. So I  quickly ran to Costco and got everything they were going to bring. Then they ended up making it here, limping and bruised, with all their poor, smashed food. The tow truck had their car all tied up and ready to haul it away when Carl leaped up there and started pulling dishes and pies and a huge turkey out of the car and throwing them down to Mike, who had to catch it all with one arm, as his other arm had been somewhat mangled in the crash. After all of that, they spent all of Thanksgiving morning cooking everything for the feast. All their effort was SO appreciated because I am one who only cooks food when obligated and never for pleasure.

 Jeff's dad, carving the brave, brave turkey. Can you spot the objects in this picture that belong to a different holiday?

 Kids' table (Look at Joseph's grimace. That is awesome.)

 more kids

 Grown-up table. Where the heck are all the grown-ups?

 kids' pie fight

 not fun anymore

Jude and Leila helping Carl make the veggies for the turkey

This was a GREAT Thanksgiving! Let's do it again next year, and invite only people we meet on vacation! Keep that definition of "family" broad.