Grandpa Bookends Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving day begins when Grandpa arrives. We try to get him over early--around noon for a 3 p.m. meal--so he can sit around and watch football (and his daughter running around in the kitchen, which seems to entertain him).

Our next arrival was Tomi. Her father, who leaves not far from us in Dewitt, dropped her off and stopped in long enough to meet our patriarch and pose for this picture. Toke arrived later with her brother Yomi and a crockpot full of the most delicious greens I'd ever eaten.

This year Adam had to stay in New York as the primary trouble-shooter for infrastructure; this is the first time he's missed being with us. He spent the holiday with his friend Cale. Joe and Ash were with her folks, and the Balcoms dined with the Trimbles. Al and Jerrell were expected but didn't come. Our guest roster: Grandpa, Jonna and Melissa, Tomi, Toke and Yomi.

To view all our Thanksgiving pictures on Flickr, click here. I must have been too busy to take many photos the day of Thanksgiving, but there are some from the Tavern and "Club Stock." I hope others will share their photos as well.

The other "bookend" event with Grandpa was Ben's visit to the River House...

As soon as Grandpa got up to go to the can, Ben occupied Grandpa's electronic recliner and made phone calls on the chair's remote control. Grandpa was happy to sit in the little swivel chair next to the recliner.

Jen brought Grandpa her signature "peanut butter crack pie," prepared especially for him because she knows he loves it. His response: "That will be lunch for the next three days!"

Grandpa and Mike traded smart remarks about...well, pretty much everything.

After a little while the girls showed up for a visit, too. Jonna chased Ben around the big loop of Grandpa's house while Grandpa and Shaina talked trash about college football. By this time, Michigan had already lost to Ohio State and MSU was about to play (they eventually won).

And that's how Grandpa bookends Thanksgiving.