Simple Pleasures: Family Dinner

Nothing ever makes me quite as happy as when some family members come back into town.

Not only does it give us the perfect excuse to have a delicious dinner, it also provides the opportunity to recount all of each other's embarrassing stories to whichever significant other happens to be present at the time.

Being a somewhat middle child, (the fourth of five I always think I'm closer to the baby spectrum of the family) it broke my heart once all of my siblings started moving out of the house and getting on with their own lives. Even now, in this post-grad stage of my life, I miss hanging out with them all the time.

So whenever one of them calls to say they are visiting for the day, it feels like the good ol' days. Every family dinner tends to follow the same routine. We are a family of consistency and tradition. We aren't going to decide one day that we would rather eat out, instead of having dad cook. Nor will the meal ever be (likely-speaking, of course) vegetarian, vegan or low-fat in nature. And once the meal is complete, we will not suddenly opt to work it off by going on a family run.

No.

We like our meals hearty, our conversations long and our board games competitive.

There is never a lack of laughter, especially once the baby stories get rolling, like when I pulled the fire alarm during church, or when my brother got Gak in my hair and it had to be cut out.The night always ends with a few rousing rounds of scattegories, maybe risk, and hardly ever monopoly depending on who's picking.

It's tradition and I love it.

This is all just for normal visits. You should come around for Christmas.

Now, that's an occasion!

It's pretty much the same thing except ten times more food, the head count is doubled, sometimes tripled, and the friendly smack-talk during the games is a lot more frequent.

Gosh, all this talk has got me excited for the holidays already!

Do you like family dinners or do they get a little too stressful?

Any constant family traditions?

I hope this Monday finds you all wonderful.

Love to all!

xoxox