Okie Thanksgiving 2013

We survived Thanksgiving without gaining any weight.  This is an accomplishment considering we had such DELICIOUS food!!!  I'm thankful for many things, but great cooks on both sides of my in-laws is definitely near the top.

Heath, my little brother (Ty) and I made the drive up to Granny & Papa's in Rush Springs Wednesday night.  After greeting most of the family, we stayed up late playing card games.  Skip Bo is always a must when we come to Granny's, but Heath and I introduced Phase 10 into the mix, a game we played a lot during our time in Kazakhstan.  My family doesn't usually play games so Ty had a fun time.  Of course, everything (something as simple as Skip Bo) turns into competition with the guys.  Many of the games turned into Boys vs. Girls.  Of course the girls won Heads Up!

There was a full house in Rush Springs!  There were sixteen (16) people for Thanksgiving on the McKay side.  And just like many other holidays, what we had for lunch was the same thing we had for dinner.  No complaints there.  If you haven't had Granny's mac and cheese, then you haven't lived.

We had a great time during the McKay Thanksgiving!  It was even more fun now that there is a baby during the holidays.  Our niece, Remi, has the sweetest personality.  She is so happy all the time.  I didn't take as many pictures as I would've liked, but enjoy.

We sent a morning picture to my mom.  

Thanksgiving Plate #1 

Jennifer's daughter, Molly.  She was taking secret pictures on my phone! 

McKay Thanksgiving.  In relation to Heath and I (Left to Right)-

Top Row: Papa, Aunt Crissy, Uncle Devin, Me, Cousin Tayte, Sister Annie, Brother Ben, Niece Remi, Dad Tim, Sister-in-law Kristin
Bottom Row: Cousin Logan, Heath, Brother Ty, Granny, Tim's GF Jennifer, Jennifer's daughter Molly

Skip Bo! 

Happy Remi

Next up, we made the 1.5 hour drive to Kingfisher on Friday.  Heath and Ty went to the Thunder and Warriors game while I stayed in Bricktown to hang out with some girlfriends.  The game went into overtime, which was great since it gave me more time to hang out with my friends!  Ha.  This was Ty's first NBA game so I'm glad he got to go to a good game.

The Bollenbach side was having Thanksgiving on Saturday at their farm this year, which was a great thing since there were so many people.  We had nineteen (19) people!  I only have 6 immediate family members here in Texas so it's always a different experience when I spend the holidays with my in-laws.  I always enjoy it.

I have to be honest and let you know that the farm was not my thing.  Does that surprise anyone?  I knew Glenda was going to take a group photo so, clearly, I made sure to dress up for it.  Well, let's just say pink pants, a cream lace dress and a cheetah scarf were far from what everyone else was wearing.  And to top that, I had a bright yellow jacket.  Imagine Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie on the old show, The Simple Life.  That was me.  Natalie on the Farm.

Despite it not being my scene, these people were my scene.  And there was food there.  I will go anywhere for food, especially Kyle's potato casseroles.  Currently drooling.  I had a great time watching everyone have fun shooting clay pigeons with shotguns, smashing pumpkins with handguns, speeding on four-wheelers (despite Grandpa's safety speech- YOU MUST PUT ORANGE ON BECAUSE IT'S HUNTING SEASON), making s'mores by the fire and, surprisingly, watching the Alabama/Auburn game on a very clear box TV.

The road to the farm.  Seriously.

One side of the cabin.

The land.

Annie and Grandpa shooting a Snoopy target.

I can say I've eaten Thanksgiving food in a barn.

Not even 10 minutes of being there and they were already on the four-wheelers.

Collecting wood for the fire.  I watched.

Pretty pumpkins that were later smashed by gun bullets. 

Thanksgiving Plate #2 - Did I mention Grandma made three homemade pies, Aunt Peggy made pecan pie and my MIL Glenda made a red velvet cake?

Our cousin Kylie and sister Annie with their orange shirts on before getting on the four-wheeler.

The boys playing Horseshoe.  Heath and Ty won both rounds. 

This is our about-to-be cousin Bryan.  Him and Kylie are engaged!  We love him. 

Grandma and Grandpa Bollenbach.  They are still so in love after all these years!  

Look. At. My. Outfit.

Aunt Peggy was getting a headache when everyone was shooting guns so she put these on.

Our mom Glenda and Aunt Peggy.

Our FIL (Glenda's husband Kyle) & Grandpa!  Wonder who shot the target first?

Bryan & Kylie 

All the girls!  The two in the back are our stepsisters (Kyle's twin daughters), Haley and Hannah

S'mores time

My not-so-little brother.  He is 17 and is a senior this year. 

Heath told me many stories of his childhood at the farm.  I used to call him a country boy... but after seeing him barely hit the clay pigeon targets after one too many tries, I definitely married a city boy.  I wouldn't have it any other way.

One of my favorite things about Thanksgiving Weekend was seeing my little brother interact with our new family.  He was able to experience different family traditions, and despite his older sister being a wimp on the farm, Ty loved shooting guns and riding the four-wheelers.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!  We're thankful every day, but Thanksgiving is another reminder of the things and people we're most grateful for.


Until next time,