Nana News: Nana's Thanksgiving 2012

This year Lori wanted to make a new tradition for Thanksgiving by going to Fry Brothers Turkey Ranch for Thanksgiving Day, hoping that Nana would enjoy going out and being with the boys. Where better for a Thanksgiving dinner than a turkey ranch? I was excited about the idea because Jan and I decided to make a trip to PA so we could be part of the new tradition.

I admit to being a little apprehensive about Nana in that situation. It was a new restaurant to her and it was a longer drive than hopping up to May's Diner each morning. But May's is not open on Thanksgiving Day and I know Nana wanted to please Lori. Since Lori had been planning this since the summer, Nana had lots of time to prepare. She had a great idea - she would get Christmas gifts for the boys and give to them at the restaurant to help keep them occupied. In Sepember, we shopped for just the right gift. She wanted them to have small cars as she knows Ollie and Sidney love anything with wheels. Plus, she insisted they be almost alike because her thought was that they might fight if they were different. This insight came from raising four of her own kids, who fought, and helping to raise Lori and Jeff, who also fought. I knew she was right. She chose 2 packs of miniature cars. I wrapped them for her and now she was ready.

On Thanksgiving Day, Jan and I drove Nana to the restaurant. After we crossed the mountain and headed up Rt. 15 north of Williamsport, she was in new territory. That stretch of highway is wooded with the road sliced into the mountains. A month earlier, the scenery would have been awash with reds and yellows and oranges from the fall leaves. On this trip, the trees were bare, but Nana was still in awe of the drive.

When we reached the restaurant, the parking lot was packed. Thankfully, Jan found a parking spot close to the door. Because we had reservations we were seated immediately - good for Nana who can't stand for very long, plus she was still hurting some from her fall. Next challenge was what would Nana order to eat? She settled on a hamburg, coffee and banana cream pie for dessert. After we ordered, Nana gave the boys their cars. What a hit! They loved them and ran them on the table and also entertained the diners behind us, running them across the ledge while wearing the turkey hats Lori had made them. So cute.

There were ten of us - Sharon and Ron, Jeff, Lori and Nate, Ollie and Sid, Nana and Jan and I. The food was good and lots of it. Nana's hamburg was too hard for her to eat so she had a half a roll, coffee and the banana cream pie, which was her favorite. The boys loved the rainbow sherbert but were more interested in playing with their cars from Nana. Nana was so happy watching them enjoy her gift.

When we left the restaurant, Nana again remarked on the drive through the mountains. Who knew that would be one of the top attractions of this day for her? It's a good new tradition and I hope we can all go again next year.

The next day all of us, except Ron, met again at Nana's favorite hangout - May's Diner. More fun with Ollie and Sid and their cars and trucks. Thanks Lori for making all this happen. Looking forward to next Thanksgiving!