This year we were going to have a Gallander Thanksgiving, or we hoped to. We were not sure if we would make it after everyone got sick. Until we were in the car driving down the road I wasn’t making any promises. By Tuesday evening I think I had a call or text from just about every one of my siblings. Nice to know we were wanted! I told John if we didn’t go, he was going to have to call everyone and let them know. We did decide to leave on Wednesday, since Makaela and John were doing better. I packed that morning and we left town by noon. Traffic was NOT fun. We witnessed a wreck in Ft. Worth, my first time to call 911. Then we inched along from Hillsboro to West. I did get to jump out and say a quick hi to my friend Adrienne. I got to see her new baby for the first time, but since both families had illnesses going around I didn’t get to hold that new little cutie, Chloe. I guess we will have to try again to see them. We made it to my mom’s around dinner time. That night we were only missing the two College Station kiddos at mom’s. It was a full house!
Thanksgiving Day we went to my Uncle Ernest’s house in College Station. He had a full house with our family, my family (which included all the siblings this year), two of my cousins and their families, an Aunt and cousin, and another Aunt and Uncle and a few other family friends. I think the total was about 35 and that isn’t even half of the Gallanders. Well, maybe it is I know my family is a big chunk of that half! I think this was only my second time making it to Uncle Ernest’s for Thanksgiving, well at least since I’ve had kids. We made it two years ago and there was a family football game. This year the boys couldn’t wait for the chance to play football again.
My dad took my boys, Rachel, and Ethan to Ernest’s early. They played on the paddle boat and had fun before everyone else got there. It was a great day! Nice and warm. When all the rest of the cousins showed up the football games started. John tried to stay at quarterback, didn’t need him to run all over the place and get sick again. I know my boys were having a wonderful day!
After the Thanksgiving lunch the boys and Rachel were back to playing football. The football game added my sisters, Lauren, Mary, and Bridgette and my brother David. Then a little while later they had the Over 30 v.s. Under 30. The Over 30 included my Uncles Frank and Ernest, my dad, my mom, my cousin John, Aunt Linda, Lauren, and John. Against David, Zach, Sam, Mary, Bridgette, and a crew of little kids. It was hilarious watching the game. And in true Gallander fashion they were PLAYING! I wish I hadn’t forgotten my camera because those pictures would have been priceless. My Uncle Frank diving and rolling on the ground to tag a youngin'. My mom showed that no matter the age (27 years) she can still catch her kids.
The game went on for a while. The Over 30 came up with sneak plays, like go hide behind the bush instead walking all the way back to the line of scrimmage. Youthfulness may not have been on their side; but they had wisdom and determination on their side. Mom had her heel stepped on as she and Uncle Frank went to tag Zach. She was limping for a little bit and then went right back to playing. You could see the Over 30 team wearing out, when Uncle Ernest said “Next score wins.” Then there was a beautiful pass and Seth jumps up and catches it! Under 30 wins! Seth’s catch was the play of the day. His face had the biggest smile on it. After the game my dad and uncles decided to have their post game interviews. Yes, they are still big kids even into their 40’s and 50’s. The funniest part about their mock interviews was the fact that they though they were so funny.
The Over 30 assessed their injuries. Mom had a swollen ankle. She shrugged it off, but it had to hurt. My siblings and I also had to reevaluate all the years of us being told it was Gallander that made us so competitive. It may be from our mom! Even when she was hurt she still managed to tag a few kids.
While the epic football game was going on, my cousin Cassie saddled up a pony. Bella, Eva, Kira, Eli and Makaela couldn't wait for a ride. Ian broke himself away from the game for a moment to take a turn.
I am thankful that our phones have cameras, so I at least had these pictures to remember the day. Here are a few more that were too cute. Eva and Bob hanging out. And the two lil’ Cookie Monsters, Eli and Makaela.
The tradition is to go to see Christmas lights once it gets dark. Last time I stayed back at Uncle Ernest’s house with baby Makaela while the rest of the crew went. This year we decided to call it a night. John and Makaela were worn out and we still had to drive back to my mom’s. Sleep was one thing we couldn’t take for granted this week, since some of us were getting over illnesses. It was great seeing everyone. The boys are already talking about the next football game!
On the way back to mom’s I was in the car with Mom, Lauren, Mary, Bridgette, Rachel, and Makaela. The big girls decided they were going to have their own little party. Mary was DJ. As she was going through the songs she said “Let’s go Old School” and played a BBMack song. I was then reminded just how old I was since I went to their concert in college and Mary would have been in third grade. I didn’t even think about it then, but Rachel was born the year they were popular! Oh, well, we enjoyed the car ride home.