Thanksgiving is hands down my favorite holiday.  I mean, food, football, family…what more could a guy ask for?  This year we’re headed to New York City and doing it up big in Manhattan with my brother and his family.

We’re excited to watch the legendary Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, stroll down Central Park, perhaps ice skate in Rockefeller Center.  It’s going to be a great time…this will also mark the first trip for our daughter and the very first Thanksgiving for our cute little 2-month-old niece!

Adding to that string of firsts:  It’s also the first time either of us has cooked an entire Thanksgiving meal.  Talk about pressure.  Probably just like your family, there’s a long list of traditions and expectations when it comes to the big day.  It’s a lot to live up to. We’ve been lucky enough all these years to be near family (mostly moms who love to cook) and this year, well I guess it’s about time, it’s our turn.

So I say bring it on! I actually really like to cook and my wife prefers it that way believe it or not.  Basting turkeys, caramelizing potatoes, simmering gravy; it all sound like a good game plan to me…well, as long as it doesn’t interfere with the Turkey Bowl (our traditional get-the-old-guys-together-and-play-football-and-probably-get-hurt-game). I’m kidding, ok, maybe.

We’ve got some family recipes lined up and fingers crossed, together, we’ll somehow figure out how to make this meal a success.  While I’m pretty confident in our abilities, it’s possible that it could turn out a disaster and we’ll have to settle for take-out. And I’m REALLY hoping it doesn’t turn out like Christmas 2008, when we all 8 of us got the stomach flu and had to share 2 bathrooms.  Yikes. That was a holiday to remember (if we’re talking worst-case scenario).

But regardless of the outcome, you want to know the best part of all? Good or bad, we’ll make great memories with family members we love.  Can’t beat that.

So with that said, I want to personally wish you great memories and times with your loved ones this Thanksgiving holiday. Be safe, be grateful, be happy.

*Oh, feel free to wish us luck.  We’re gonna need it!*