Tradition

Its not the least bit of an understatement to say that the Wilson family is FULL of tradition.  The holidays are only intensified versions of this, and Thanksgiving is no exception.  Thanksgiving is a holiday we have always shared with the Wilson side of the family – sometimes we “crock pot” other sides of the family, and sometimes, its just Wilsons.  We are so fortunate that the Marcus Wilsons (aka Mississippi Wilsons) make the trek each year to Charlotte to share this holiday with us.  Their arrival kicks off the holiday celebration, and its tradition that on Wednesday night, the Ross Wilsons host the “Julia Wilsons” for dinner.  It is always a gourmet meal, and this year was no exception with homemade focaccia bread, Alaskan salmon (perfectly grilled), bibb lettuce salad, basmati rice, and cherry cobbler.  “Wine Snob” Marcus Wilson provided some wonderful wine to go along with the meal.  This year, we added what might become a new tradition.  The Julia Wilson Cousins (over 21) got together for cocktails pre-dinner and had a great time!  Here are some pictures from dinner.

Thursday morning is the annual Turkey Trot.  This is our fourth year doing it, and check out the results here.  Luckily, it doesn’t start until 9 AM, but due to total chaos and an insane lifestyle somehow the Magees ended up arriving literally at the shotgun start and missed everyone at the beginning.  Anne Louise and I did the 5K walk, while Patrick did the 8K.  Luckily, AL and I were able to catch up with Caroline and Lucy a little into the walk. 

Then, even though we had all invaded their house the night before, the Ross Wilsons host everyone AGAIN on Thursday morning for breakfast – but not before we take over all the tables at Dean and Deluca for some coffee and smartwater (I don’t know WHY the water is even tradition, but that is literally all we ever get). 

Above: The Parking Lot of the First Citizens Bank is our annual pre-Turkey Trot meeting spot (Patrick and I missed this part of the morning, though!Above: AL’s 5K TeamAbove: The Whole Group

After some table fellowship at D&D, we headed back over to the Ross Wilsons for breakfast, more table fellowship, and this year, even a little football.  (I say “we,” but by that I mean everyone except Joan, Caroline and Martha who return to their respective posts in the kitchen at Joan’s house to finish and get the house set up for the evening festivities).  Denise had made some UNBELIEVABLE homemade blueberry scones (including homegrown, organic blueberries) and homemade cinnamon rolls and Ross made some of the best eggs and bacon (nitrate-free, of course).  AL had a FIELD DAY eating all those sweets, and she couldn’t get enough of the eggs – even though it was her first time eating them!

After breakfast, the Magees hosted our third annual Sip-and-See.  The first year, it was to see our new screened-in porch and paint job; second year was to see Anne Louise’s nursery, and this year, we wanted to show off AL’s baptism dress and hopefully get some pictures.  Once again, Anne Louise did NOT cooperate, as it was nap time and she was rubbing her eyes before we even walked in the door.  So everyone got to sip (Patrick made a special batch of a secret-recipe bloody marys) and see the dress (not not Anne Louise in it).  Alas, NO PICTURES.

Of course, the main event is Joan’s (and Caroline’s) Thanksgiving Dinner.  Every year, it is nothing short of luscious, and the time we get to spend “visiting” with the extended family is priceless.  Before dinner, Anne Louise spent some good time with Nana, but was mostly entertained by Hill, who is WELL on his way to becoming an excellent built-in babysitter.  Anne Louise also received a super-snuggly zebra from Chris and Calvin – thanks yall (as you can tell, she LOVES it!). 

 

Come and Get it (and table fellowship)!

After dinner, as tradition would have it, we took the Annual Thanksgiving Wilson Family photos (THANKS to our wonderful photographer Donna Dean for putting up with the chaos that comes with trying to squeeze all of us into a small room!)

The Cousins:The Magees The Wilson Family Obligatory “Looking On” Picture

Finally, I must post at least a few of the pictures from Hill, a budding photographer.  He quickly learned how to work our complicated high tech camera, and thanks to Little Marcus, spent lots of time taking some artsy pictures.  His Uncle Sam would be proud . . . .

And this last one by Hill is actually very good.  It really captures how sleepy little miss Anne Louise was after her first Thanksgiving. 

On this day, we are reminded how blessed we are by God, and for that, we should be thankful.  The traditions of Thanksgiving are something we appreciate and love; its what makes our family a family.  One tradition that we “lost” last year was the after-Thanksgiving tradition of turkey sandwiches made my my stepfather Melvyn.  While we miss him so much, his life lessons – and ability to make the best turkey sandwich ever – will be with us forever.