Here's Who's Coming To Thanksgiving Dinner!

He may not make it home right when we're serving the turkey because he has football practice at Oklahoma State that day, but he's only a little over an hour away and I'm so glad my sweet B-Man will be here. Because of his practice schedule, he may only get to be home one night. But I'll absolute, one hundred percent take it.

Jamar has been working hard on school and he's looking forward to putting away his homework for a few days and turning off his brain during Thanksgiving weekend. That may take the form of video games, movies, or just hanging with the boys...but he told me he needs a dose of home! I understand, Jamar!

Have I mentioned how much I love having my sister back home more often? Timing worked out great this year and she was able to come back to Sister House (the house in Pawhuska that we fixed up together.) When my sister is here, everything just makes more sense. It's a deep and mysterious truth of the universe. (Plus she's going to help me pull off the meal, as only a sister can.)

As is the case with married couples who have both sides of a family to balance, Alex and Mauricio didn't join us last year, so we're excited they will be chowing down with us this year! However, what I'm especially excited about is that George is coming too, which means he'll bring a city dog class and elegance to the skunk-chasing, manure sniffing dogs on Drummond Ranch. I can't wait to cuddle with my grand-dog. If I had a wallet sized photo of him, I'd be whipping it out to show everyone. He's so handsome.

Well, what can I say? I love this kid. He plays for University of South Dakota and not until today did we know whether he'd be able to come home. South Dakota is #3 in their conference heading into the playoffs and they have a bye next Saturday, so the stars are aligned for Todd to get to come home for three whole wonderful, blessed days. He told me today he can't wait to sleep in his own bed. I just got home from a cookbook tour, so I told him I know the feeling! 😊

Some of you may remember that in the old days of my blog, I wrote a blog post when Matt (Ladd's cousin) met Teresa and they started dating. Well...that escalated quickly. 😂 Their kids are Drummond, Harrison, and Sutton, and we love them so much. Timing and circumstances worked out this year and they get to join us on Thanksgiving! Matt is one of the funniest people I know, so there are definitely going to be stories and laughter/tears.

First, please take a moment to admire the #1 fans of Oklahoma State University, my mom and her husband Doug. They follow every football game, every basketball game, and when they found out Bryce was transferring to OSU to play football this year, I think they both fainted. And then they cried. They typically go a different direction for Thanksgiving, so I'm glad they'll be joining us...especially because all the Drummond kids will be home!

Paige has been coming home more and more to help Ladd on the ranch, and it's been great having her around more often. Paige also happens to be a pretty darn good home cook (she cooks dinner with her friends a lot!) Paige also has a way of keeping the schedule going and adding special touches to tables and decors, so maybe I'll just sleep until noon that day because am I really needed at all? 😂

Again, those of you who have read my blog for a long time will remember when this TEENAGER (yes, teenager) was born. In fact, I think I tweeted the journey I took down to Austin while Betsy was in labor. 😂 I'm so excited to have Elliot around this weekend. He's so much fun to be around, and I can't wait to teach him how to help his aunt with Thanksgiving dishes.

My nephew Stu graduated from University of Arkansas last May and he has been working in Chicago since June! I got to see him briefly in Colorado in September, and I told him adulting looks good on him. I love this kid so much, and my kids love him like a sibling. I should mention that I'm making a second turkey solely because Stu is attending the dinner.

These absolute pookie head dogs will most certainly be at our Thanksgiving dinner this year, mostly in the form of clearing out any non-desireable leftovers. Shelby isn't pictured, she's a rescue with crooked ears and this'll be her first Thanksgiving on the ranch. Maybe I'd better make a third turkey. She's been known to eat a lot!

I mean Ladd! I almost forgot about this fella. Yes, he is invited to our Thanksgiving dinner, for no other reason that he actually is one of the hosts. 😂 Thanksgiving is important to Ladd---not just because the activities of the ranch can take a one-day rest, but also because the meal itself is something he looks forward to for one year leading up to it. And while my Thanksgiving plate has about thirteen different things on it, here's what Ladd's plate has: turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, and rolls. That's it. His whole life. Do you guys have a spouse like this? Still love ya, Ladd!