The most favorite time of the year is when my mom, dad, brother, and I visit my grandparents' house to celebrate Thanksgiving Day.

      All of my cousins come to visit, too. I have many aunts and uncles. There are twenty-four cousins to play with during this special day. I am very thankful to have such a big family that shares so much love.

      My grandmother and grandfather own a big farmhouse in the country. The house is very quiet now 

because all of their children have grown up and have 

children of their own. My grandparents give thanks for 

an even larger family now. Grammy says that there is 

more to love. I thank God for my grammy and papa.

      When everyone arrives there is a special job to do 

in preparing for the Thanksgiving dinner. The table 

needs to be set. The vegetables need to be peeled. The 

dessert needs to be made and ready to go into the oven.

      The large family turkey has been cooking since the early hours of the day. Papa is always in charge of the turkey and its delicious stuffing. We are all thankful for papa's awesome cooking skills.

      Some of the older children play and keep a careful eye on the younger ones. The little cousins tend to be very fast and sometimes they run and hide. I am thankful we always find everyone.

      My aunts take great care of the babies that need 

their naps. My uncles are very thankful for this quiet 

time. They can share stories with each other while the 

babies sleep.

      The older boys take the family pets for a walk down 

to the stream. The cats are thankful for this time apart 

because they get tired very quickly from being chased 

all over the property.The Thanksgiving meal is almost 

cooked. The older girls and Grammy mash potatoes, 

make the gravy and set up the dinner tables with fancy 

plates and colorful napkins.

      Papa removes the delicious smelling turkey from 

the oven and places it on a huge platter. We are all 

thankful now that the food is cooked. The kitchen is 

filled with delicious smells from all the food. Grammy 

calls out for everyone to come and join together at the 

supper tables to begin the Thanksgiving meal. 

      The adults sit together at the large table. The 

babies are at their sides in high chairs. The cousins 

seat themselves at the smaller tables. There is quite a 

commotion as everyone settles into their chairs.