LOL, Annie! You always post the most interesting family parties - I love them! All in all, it looks like a good time was had by most attending (except for maybe Amanda!!) and it was so considerate of you to bring your ex's grandma to the feast. Thanks for sharing the memories with us!
Barb

If it's any consolation, Annie, my ex was at my dinner table, too. And I didn't have nearly so many people to buffer me. If he hadn't b*tched at the kids about table manners, I might have okay.

I think you did the righteous thing all the way around. You could have sent a few of them to my house, I cooked for the fleet this year.

Great pictures Annie! Great Grandma Hazel looks like she's having a wonderful time with your Dad! Shame on Bruce and his family for not caring enough about her. Your table looks bountiful, and as always, the girls and grandchildren are lovely. I really love that picture of Bud so delicately cradling the tea cup in his hands, while you no doubt looked on ready to rescue it if he decided to fling it! Can't beat the scenery out your window either:-)
DONNA

Annie, you look like you put the "fun" into dysfunctual. You are a very kind person to take all those people into your home. At least you didn't have to have the Lions game blaring on the TV next to you like we always do because of a certain Uncle.

Mindy

That's nice you included your ex and his grandmother. That's what Thanksgiving is all about.

It's always fun peeking inside everyone's homes. Thanks for sharing the pictures. My favorite is Bud's little pinkie finger sticking in a proper manner, while holding the tea cup! hahahah! That is priceless!

Great photos Annie! WHat's in the trifle bowl in front of Amanda? It looks good, whatever it is.

The little ones are adorable.

AM
The Dinner Chronicles

Great pictures Annie, Ashley looks more and more like you all the time! I love the picture of Gran and Dad!

Yes, what AM said about what's in the trifle bowl?

Annie, you and your family are a hoot. I love the line about TMJ. Oh yeah. You have a heart of gold to tolerate him at your table.

I have this vision of you walking around with one eyebrow raised thinking "how the hell did this happen?"

Honestly, what agreat post. I love the pictures, especially TMJ and Bud with the teacup. Please, next time, no Fuze at the dinner table!

Oh Annie I love your pictures, they always make me laugh. And your commentary is priceless! Although the picture of your dad and great-grandmom Hazel made me cry. Your Dad resembles my dad, and Hazel even resembles his mom. I lost my Dad 12/96 and his mom has been gone since 95! I miss them both dearly. Thank you for sharing such beautiful memories. Gina

Woodie, I'm surprised at you, LOL. That's YOUR layered salad in the trifle bowl, Amanda and Stepmom Shirley just love the stuff. Shirley takes the leftovers home, always.

Barb, I do have interesting family dinners, don't I?

Mindy, we DO put the fun in dysfunctional. And who said we didn't have the Lions on? I keep telling Dad to stop watching them, it just upsets him, LOL.

Dedtired, the Fuze belongs to Dylan. What can I say, he's new to the table. (grin)

Gina, I know the day will come, too soon, when those people aren't around my table so for now I just shrug and carve the turkey.

Eileen, I'd have whopped him with a turkey leg!

Donna, we got 4 inches of snow last night, which I shovelled, several more projected tonight with some freezing rain. Want some? I wonder how it would mail to Florida. Hammmmmm......

Annie

i love the pics, annie! and it's always interesting at your place around the holidays, isn't it? poor amanda does look as if she's chewing most carefully...and how can bruce be an unexpected guest? he's become quite a regular fixture over the last few years! i'm very happy to see that DM of yours again and i think there's something quite remarkable about the 2 pics of youg david--he's practically attacking the pie but look at how carefully he's treating aunt yoshiko's tea set! i'm sure she's smiling happily about that!

Yup... few more years and Ashley is going to be almost pretty as her mom.

: )
lyra

great pics Annie - I love that you got great-grandma.

I see Woodie's salad. Yum. Love that stuff. Too funny, Woodie!

You have a beautiful family...gotta love that pic of Amanda, too, though - grin.

Stacy

Thank you, Lyra, you are as sweet as always.

San, he was "unexpected" because neither of the girls invited him, which is what has happened in the past. I told them that now Elery is in the picture, I was going to be uncomfortable with my ex husband and my current fiancee at the same table. When Ashley said she was going to bring Great-Grandma, he just showed up, uninvited.

So, I just set another plate.....

Stacy, I think everyone recognizes that "grind my teeth" look, we all must have someone that does that to us!

Annie

Oh my, that's "my" salad, LOL. Here's a secret, sssshhh, I only made that salad once about 10 years ago - but I know it has become a favorite of yours and I do really like it myself :)

ah--i had assumed he knew that elery wasn't arriving until friday...do you think he was expecting he'd be there and showed up anyway? YIKES! that would cause my jaws to clench...

Annie I thought I was the only one with an "interesting" family! LOL

Agree that I would be somewhat uncomfortable with the ex and the fiancee together....nope not at my table. Bruce's GF didn't show too did she? That would put me over the top!

Great pics of the kids, can't believe how big they are, especially David! Where does the time go?

Annie, your a good egg!

This is just the type of situation to put your new appreciation of wine (sort-of-semi appreciation?) to use...

I do so love the turkey cookies :o) Glad you were able to be mature with your ex. You didn't slip a laxative into his serving of mashed potatoes, did you? >evil grin

Annie, I can't get over how much Ashley looks like you! Every time I see her pic, I think it's you!

You're a good woman Annie. I think I would have started drinking early if my ex showed up! :-)

Annie, it sounds like a perfect family gathering to me. A bit of angst, a bit of lunacy, a touch of tension, lots of food, even more love. No one drank too much and no one started a fight or opened old wounds. I bet everyone makes an effort to park their differences at the door when they come to your home.

As for my ex, his life is so circumscribed by his health issues that it's hard for me to begrudge him a place at my table for the holidays. He even stayed upright through the entire meal and left before he crashed. He just tends to channel his mother at the dinner table. I have too many memories of sobbing children who couldn't eat any more dinner after he slammed his hand on the table because someone ate with their fingers. I had a talk with him later. He was unrepentant in the moment but I hope he takes it to heart. I sent the turkey leg home with him in a care package rather than smack him upside the head. Tempting, though...

Your grandkids are the shining stars!

Annie everything looks wonderful as usual. We got out of the circus this year - just us and my in-laws. Nice and quiet and lots of leftovers for us.

I guess I'm the lone dissenter - I'd LOVE to have Elery and Bruce in the same room - one would SO outclass the other - bring it on!

I'd even make a point of being seen necking in a corner of the living room - and if Bruce DARES show up with Bimbo GF, put her to work doing dishes