Wednesday, December 9, 2009

My Thanksgiving Turkey

We had a multi-generational Thanksgiving. My Grandparents and one of my Great-Aunts with her kids, my mother and her sisters and kids and spouses, and my siblings, spouses and kids. All in all about 50 mouths to feed. We couldn't fit in a house. We went to a church which turned out great because there is a room right off the kitchen where we set up tables and chairs and Tricia decorated. Dinner was delicious. Especially the stuffing and pies and rolls and salads and potatoes and the beans and turkey and even the yams if memory serves.
My turkey came a bit later. You see we played Family Feud. I did a survey earlier that afternoon where everyone had to answer a few basic questions. Questions like "Name your favorite dish that Grandma Carter makes".
Or "What is Grandpa's favorite swear word?" I tallied the results and we divided everyone up into teams.
Team Grandpa
Team Grandma
I got their attention and we began the game. I forgot the buzzer so we just had to raise our hands. 50 people surveyed
top 4 answers on the board
Name Grandma's favorite dish.Mitch!
Potato Salad!
Number 2 answer!
And then it went to the team.
Everything going pretty smoothly other than the fact my brothers are all way too competitive! Then we do some actual Family Feud questions. yada yada yada. And then THE question. That will go down in family infamy. Ironically enough Grandpa was the one to be up front to earn the right to answer. OK.
50 people surveyed.
top 4 answers on the board.
What is Grandpa's favorite swear word! Grandpa!
"Hells Bells"!
#1 answer!
92% of the votes
Does your team want to pass or play?
They want to play.
Although nobody wants to play.
Here is Renee trying to get Grandpa to tell her more swear words and he can't think of any. "Rowena, What else do I say?" They want to whisper their answers. The other words were Dam (yep, it was spelled wrong.) Hell and Heck.

So I give everyone a few clues and then there is only one left. Heck. Because it really isn't a swear word at all.
I tell the team that.
I try to help them and the lightbulb comes on for the team and then comes the moment where I made Thanksgiving history.

My Aunt Carrie is my mom's younger sister. She is mentally handicapped. She is having a great time playing this game. It is her turn. Without thinking I ask her "Carrie. What is Grandpa's favorite swear word?"

I think nothing of it. I turn my back to reveal the answer that I feel sure she will get. I have given hints. The team has basically got the answer.

Then Carrie in all her innocence says loudly in her deep voice "SH*$!

Picture it.
Big family.
17 innocent kids under the age of 14 all of whom think stupid is a swear word.
In a church.
Sweetest Grandparents.
Innocent Aunt.
Oh my stars people.
What have I done?

So Mom tells us the game is over and fires me from ever being in charge of games again. The laughter dies down and yet I know this will go on to be a Thanksgiving memory for the ages!

Nice going Kelli. Hell's Bells girl! What were you thinking?!

PS Thanks Alli for the pics!

10 comments:

Robin Fisher said...

I can't stop laughing!!! That is sooo funny. I wonder if the same tactic might help you get fired from being a chairperson for the Rencher Family Reunions :)

Jacqui said...

FANTASTIC! I love it!

I'm totally going to remember that for the next family reunion.

Tiffany said...

Your family needs a reality show. Seriously. I think this is my favorite Thanksgiving story now.

Stephanie said...

Oh my heck! I cannot stop laughing, I can just picture everyone's faces. Only you could get fired from a family function. Leave it to you to make memories around a game (sorority etc..)

Sheri said...

That is so awesome!! I love it!!

The Coolest Allen Family said...

I so wish I was a part of your family. I think I would fit right in! :)

Angie said...

That's one of the best Thanksgiving stories ever. Very nice.

Todd and Melissa said...

SO FUNNY! Who put you in charge in the first place? They should know better! :)

Nee said...

this was the best thanksgving game ever.....well, ok, thumper is a close tie.....but it really was hysterical....trust Carrie to say it like she thinks it.....I really was laughing so hard......I think we should always play Family Fued at Thanksgiving. Those Rencher men are surely competitive. What a great day. So glad that we could be there.
Loves,
Aunt Nee

Kaile and Cambria said...

i love it! i wish we would have been there!