Thanksgiving With the Shoups
Over the years, Thanksgiving has quickly become one of my favorite days of the year. It’s a day where we can spend time with our loved ones, enjoy an amazing meal, and reflect on all of the good things in our lives. I can’t wait to celebrate the occasion at my parents’ house. It’s always a good time when we can get everyone together, and I know this celebration will be no different!
David and I usually head to my parents’ house the day before Thanksgiving to help them prepare. I’ll help my mom get some of the dishes started so we can jump right into making them in the morning. That way, we don’t have to wake up early to start cooking, which makes the celebration more enjoyable for everyone involved. By mid-morning, my brother and sister-in-law will arrive at the house with their kids and never hesitate to offer a helping hand. My nieces have really started to enjoy the cooking aspect of Thanksgiving, which reminds me of my younger days, helping out in the kitchen.
When I was my niece’s age, I looked up to my grandma and aunts for their ability to make a fantastic Thanksgiving dinner. I wanted to learn how to make everything they did so I could take over one day. When I was about 16 or 17, I brought over some bright neon notecards and asked my aunt for directions for all of her Thanksgiving recipes. I still use those notecards to make dishes every single year, and now, I’m sharing those same recipes with my niece!
We spend the rest of our Thanksgiving celebration simply enjoying each other’s company. The kids are outside playing, David and my dad are in the kitchen chatting or watching football, and the rest of us are performing a labor of love, ensuring that everyone has an enjoyable Thanksgiving! Then, on the following day, we have a big soccer game between everyone in the family. It’s always a great time!
I hope you all can enjoy a wonderful Thanksgiving surrounded by your loved ones and enjoying some of your favorite holiday dishes!
