You never forget your first.

We cooked our first turkey this year.

Since we started spending Thanksgiving as a team, we've eaten out or we've made just a little turkey breast (sometimes wrapped in bacon). This year we decided to conquer a full bird, a 10 pound bird, but still.

When I say "We" I mean Logan made our first turkey. I can't seem to stomach preparing a full bird.

I once, with friends, decided to conquer my fear by roasting a chicken together one night. I went in, armed with rubber gloves, and an hour later Logan found me hiding under the island whimpering softly.

Not a fan. Logan though, he's a trooper.

We spent our Thanksgiving cooking all day long, together. I worried this kitchen would be too small to cook together. That it wouldn't be as fun as it was in the old house. But it was fine, even with less space.

We took breaks and played board games with the kids. When we weren't playing with them, they...GASP...got along.

At one point Logan asked, "What are your pet peeves about me?" And Holy Shit you guys. I couldn't come up with a single thing.

It was a warm, cozy, content day in our little house.

Many years ago when I decided it wasn't wise to keep the relationship going with my in laws, I worried about holidays. I still wish my kids had other kids to hang out with for these days. But all those years ago I didn't know we'd have a day like Thursday.

I kind of always thought I wanted, needed, busy frantic holidays with lots and lots of people. But this year I realized our life is full of friends and friends who are like family. Spending the day playing games with the kids and cooking with Logan in our pajamas was the perfect place for us to be.

I finally feel like we have our own traditions we're handing down to our babies.

Comments

[Jordan @ Salt Sweat Sugar]

Congrats =] I can't reach my hand inside a bird yet, either. No worries.

[Laura]

I don't remember what the commercial was for, but a woman was trying to prep a turkey and she said on the phone " you want me to put my what, in the what what?"

I have never done a whole bird either. It kind of freaks me out. Even the premade rotisserie chickens at the grocery story give me the willies.

[Michelle]

He did a great job! And the second bird isn't nearly as scary as the first. Sounds like you had an amazing, relaxing weekend.

[Laura]

I loved this post. Reminds me very much of our Thanksgiving.

[Becky]

After having ANOTHER annoying holiday with my MIL, I envy you being able to decide to step away and just enjoy it with your own family.

[Annette]

Good for you, Melissa. I should reread this post when I am frantically trying to create the perfect holidays with my blended family.

[Amanda]

This sounds so great. A few years ago my husband and I accidentally had Thanksgiving to ourselves (parents working, traveling, whatever) and we realized what an AWESOME holiday it could be! And we haven't looked back since. This year we roasted cornish hens (a turkey for two people is too much) and made stuffing, mashed potatoes, and apple pie - it was a lovely day. Rounded out with a couple bottles of wine, a dog walk, Lions football and a couple episodes of Battlestar Galactica. I can't imagine giving up the loveliness of this kind of Thanksgiving ever.

[Tricia]

Congrats on the first turkey. I think they are a little easier than Chicken (for reasons I can't articulate).

[Lynne]

One year before we had a child (because now it would be unforgiveable in our families) my husband and I told each of our moms that we were at the other's for Thanksgiving, and stayed home and cooked lobsters by ourselves. It was glorious. This year I hosted for the first time, and with the in-laws - I am usually vegetarian (just fish or lobster once in a while) and had to leave the room during the turkey stuffing. That totally freaks me out. I also left the room during the lobster boiling, I'm a wimp all around. I'm glad you had such a lovely holiday, you deserve it!

[Sarah]

If there was a 'like' button on this post I'd click it for sure.

[April]

I actually used to spend years leading up to my parents divorce at the houses of relatives I didn't feel particularly close to, so the year my mom told me I didn't have to go anymore if I didn't want to, it was like "hallelujah!" and from then on, I've seen relatives here and there around the holidays, but for the actual day of it's just a very small gathering of people that you know, actually mean something to me.

Glad you guys had a great weekend.

[Stephanie]

I am so happy for you and don't even know you. Your post is what Thanksgiving is really all about. "Like" button, for sure.

[Jenny]

When my mom had 3 little kids sometime back in the mid-80's, she spent one Christmas Eve at my Dad's family and Christmas Day 2 hours away with her family. Our presents from Santa sat until the 26th. At that point, she decided that enough was enough and we were going to do our own holidays. Ever since then our Thanksgiving lunches and Christmas Eve nights and Christmas Day days have been just the 7 of us. We'll still do local family things on Thanksgiving nights and Christmas Day nights and we'll travel to my mom's side on a weekend near the holidays, but we've always had our own family holidays. As I've gotten older, I've realized that this isn't always the case and I've really come to appreciate it.

As a bonus, my mom has always sworn that she'll never demand that when we have kids we spend any particular day with them. No one has any kids yet, so that hasn't been tested :)

[Ashley, The Accidental Olympian]

Oh what I wouldn't have given to have had the calm Thanksgiving you had. In my perfect world I wont invite a single person to my home...

Congrats on your turkey and stress free day!

[Mary Jo]

I think I'm the only one who grew up taking the little bags out of turkeys and thought it was cool. Not that I still think it's cool, its gross, but not THAT bad.

I want to know how to make a turkey breast wrapped in bacon, do you season it? Do you put the bacon on from the start? Mmmm...

Do you have any posts about ending your relationship with the inlaws? I would love to read about it, I'm going through much of the same now.

[Eleanor]

We too stay at home alone with our kids on holidays like Thankgiving.

And it makes us appreciate each other more.

And isn't that what it is all about?

[rahree]

I'm out of town on business every year from the end of October until the day before Thanksgiving...my hubby and I "regretfully" decline all of the good-meaning invitations, and elect to spend the day in our jammies, watching the dog show and football, totally trashing the kitchen, and reconnecting. I'm with you, sister - it's the way to do it!

[Trish]

Aww, what an awesome day! Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays, and your day sounds like a great one. Happy Thanksgiving, Melissa!

[Jenn @ Juggling Life]

This year was just the six of us for the first time in forever--and it was both fun AND relaxing.

[Jilly]

I can't think of a better way to spend Thanksgiving. I'm a fan of staying in my pajamas all day. Although, we might have moved the mattress to the living room.

I've made only a couple of turkeys in my life and no matter how hard I try to make sure all of those little bags inside are out, I usually cook one. I'm not afraid of putting my hand in there, but only if I have my pretty pink gloves on. ;-)

Great job on the Turkey. It looks wonderful and I see no signs of bags sticking out.

[Annie]

But, did they eat it???

[Lisame]

Well, that was a warm and fussy post. Loved it. You've come a long way baby.

[misstraceynolan]

That sounds perfect. And the bird looks delish!

[amy]

What a gorgeous turkey, well done! Sounds like a perfectly wonderful TG day, relaxed and family oriented. Must admit I was sad to hear Christmas will be just us and the kids and my parents this year but you make it sound just perfect :)

[retromom]

We had our first Thanksgiving at home and I made my first turkey (couldn't get it to brown lovely like yours since I used an electric roaster).. We invited our elderly next door neighbor, which made it a little stressful, but I would have felt guilty cooking such a big big and knowing she was next door home alone. We normally have to travel almost four hours to stay with my inlaws and have four days of non-stop eating. It's exhausting! Looking forward to our first Christmas at home alone. I'm gonna make lobster! Because I'm makin' my own rules, baby!!!!