My mother looks on as Rose helps to prepare home made rolls for the holiday feast.

Across the street from my parents’ home is a house which seems to have been fully embraced by a vine growing from its foundation. Click on the photo for a larger view of this beautifully organic decoration.

Thanksgiving Day begins with a walk through the neighborhood with my sister Mayela.

Rose pouts as she is placed into time out for behaviours unbecoming of a human being. Older brother Mario is pleased with the outcome as it seems all older siblings are when consequences befall younger members of the family.

Nicolai, who can hardly wait for the wrestling season to commence next week, taunts his father into a take-down match only to realize once again that defending against my duck under will never be more than an unrealized dream.

No reunion would be complete without a chess match among cousins.

The boys entertained themselves with several games of Mau. You must deduce the rules of the game as you play with the goal of discarding all your cards to win. The Mau (Nico in this case) issues cards to players when they fail to observe a rule (initially known only to him) correctly and thus the game is learned. I have yet to witness a harmonious outcome to this game nor have I ever failed to find myself rolling on the floor laughing at the antics.

Today we drove to my parent’s house in Schenectady, NY where we will spend the Thanksgiving holiday, joined by my brother, both sisters, and their families.

This evening I attended the CCHS Men’s Varsity Soccer Banquet where the team and parents celebrated a great season and our state championship. Coach Pavlik recognized each player and spoke at length about their contributions to the team. He described Kyle as giving 100% effort on the field and as having some of the best technical skills on the squad. Kyle was more flattered when his coach described his amazement at Kyle’s moves and how they left opponents dangling (a soccer term of art meaning you totally faked someone out). I was recognized for my photographic contributions and received a small booklet with words of appreciation from all the players and coaches as well as a small key chain camera. The boys are already talking about how strong the team looks for next season and about the possiblity of a state title repeat.

My youngest niece Rose is a cutie for sure. To say that she is willful would be unimaginative. To say that she is the miniature CEO of the family might come closer to the truth. Today Marie will drive with her four children to Schenectady where she will visit with my parents. Our family will follow later this week and my brother Mark will join us there on the weekend. My sister Mayela and her husband Stephen will fly up from North Carolina and my sister Alissa and her family live in Albany so we are looking forward to a grand reunion of the Calabria clan.

Kyle’s soccer team won the Massachusetts State High School Championship this evening defeating Palmer 1-0 at Worcester State College. The score does not reflect the dominance of the CCHS team which controlled the game from the first whistle but credit is due to the Palmer goalie for his brilliant defense.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Jeanine hosted a small army of Girl Scouts who she taught how to make old fashioned apple pies. From the looks of the operation it seemed that everyone enjoyed themselves and I suspect that many a Thanksgiving table will have a place of honor reserved for these first time works of culinary art.

Mario and Nicolai take turns practicing one-arm handstands. I did not think about the symbolism of this image (boy on one leg supporting boy on one arm) at the time I took the photo.

Nicolai, Kyle, and cousins Rory and Mario have all grown to about the same height and are like peas in a pod. They spent the weekend playing all manner of games and sports. I even managed to squeeze an hour of yard work out of this manly crew.