A Gaskins Thanksgiving

We have Thanksgiving every year with Carla's family. With 17 children and 14 adults, and one more child added nearly every year, it is always interesting. The first time I ever met Carla's family was at Thanksgiving 1999. It was quite different from what I had experienced with my family. Not better, not worse, just different. Definitely more crowded, and less formal - children crawling all over you, intense sports competition, and eating anywhere in the house that you can find a seat. While I have to admit to feeling somewhat uncomfortable that first Thanksgiving, I am definitely part of the family now, because it would feel strange to have Thanksgiving done any other way.

This year we all met at Carla's parents' house in Lenoir, NC. We arrived in the morning, and jumped right into a game of volleyball. Carla was clearly the best player, despite the large pregnant belly. She didn't dive much. We then had Thanksgiving dinner (closer to lunchtime), which consisted of the usual Thanksgiving foods. To burn off all those calories, the men played a game of basketball. It was pretty intense - those Gaskins don't mess around. I sprained my foot when I tried to charge into a wall by the name of Sid. I also took a wicked pass from Knocker off my right eye. But I played through the injuries, and I was on fire from the perimeter - I was the best long-range shooter on the court (driveway).

After the game we had dessert of two types of cheesecake, apple pie, pumpkin pie, and Klondike bars. We spent the rest of the evening talking or playing with the kids. As the icing on the cake of a fun Gaskins Thanksgiving, Sid pulled out the Potato Gun. It just wouldn't be a proper Gaskins Thanksgiving without the Potato Gun.