Thanksgiving in Scenic F***ing Romulus

Happy Thanksgiving, America.

 As we've done every year since being back in Michigan (with the exception of 2020 and, you know, Covid and all that), we once again spent the holiday down in everyone's favorite town in the State. . . Romulus. Kris' maternal side of the family congregated down at her uncle Wayne's house (like we do every year), and the whole day played out much like it does every year. A lot less extended family on hand this year (due to interpersonal drama between various aunts, work/car issues, whatever), so the  day was pretty chill.

Anyway, I feel like every year I type the same damn thing in the paragraph proceeding each year's Thanksgiving photo dump, so I'm just gonna stop right and here and let you enjoy the pics (and video, courtesy of the girls) that detail how the day went.

See ya next year. . . back in Romulus.

Kris and her mom (who caught a ride with us downstate, like usual) as we pulled into the main, 'downtown' drag of town.

Once again, Kris neglected to stop off at the infamous Landing Strip for a Salisbury steak.

Uncle Wayne's.

When we showed up to Wayne's, the only other people there were Kris' cousin Merry Lynn and her boyfriend - most folks were rolling in within the hour - so the girls just hung out on the couch and took copious amounts of Wayne's horse-size dog, Captain.

We changed up the setup a little bit this year, putting out a table in the living room for additional seating and food. Captain is dangerously tall for having food at this level, and was watching Kris' setup process carefully.

Wouldn't be Thanksgiving without watching the Lions lose. And they were supposed to be halfway decent this year, too. . .

When their cousin, Lily, showed up with her parents, the girls ran across the street and hung out - like they usually do - in the parking lot of this random funeral home. Who knows why this is the cool spot to hang out, but I guess it beats small-talking with relatives.

(Not sure if Alayna is dancing her or having a stroke.)

Coming back across the street back to the house. . .

Gang signs (I assume.)

Merry Lynn and her boyfriend (forget his name. . . again) get cornered into another weird conversation with Kris' aunt, Margie. Once you're roped into one of these it's almost impossible to break free.  Good luck, kids.

Wayne's son, Colton, grilled up corn on one of those Blackstone grills. . .

Wayne took out the turkey in the mid-afternoon, and Yours Truly was once again tasked with carving it up.

Meanwhile, down in the basement, the kids made a series of weird videos on their phones.  As could be expected.

This dog was incredibly patient, but that shit wasn't happening on my watch.

Lily and the Cannonball (and Snapchat.)

Kris' extended family are a bunch of dwarves, most in the 4' 10" - 5' 3" range.

Marcy and Lois (their dad's sister.)

This process takes a bit, but with a beer or three it's manageable.

At one point, while I was cutting turkey and the other folks were laying out dishes on the various serving tables, the girls ran next door to Margie's to check out her basement (they were tasked with looking for the old statue that I had brought back from Ghana for Kris' dad, which disappeared in 2005 when he passed away.)

Unfortunately, they never found it - hopefully it didn't get sold or some shit.

Selfie while hiding in the basement.

While the girls were away next door, Captain got into their food and wasn't courteous enough to bother leaving them anything.

Teenagers and these stupid filters. . . 

This seriously looks like Gollum from The Lord of the Rings. . .

Marcy and Kris' cousin, Andy.

Cleaning up at the end of the meal.

And there you go, folks - another Thanksgiving down in Romulus. Not as many folks on hand this time around, but I'm sure that'll change next year - this family's frickin' huge.

- Brian