It's that time of year, the last three months of the year are full of festive holidays and all of the things that go along with each of them. There's always something fun to look forward to and everyone has a favorite holiday for different reasons. For this week's Friday Favorites, I decided to share my favorite holiday and the reasons why I love it!

What's your favorite holiday?

Thanksgiving! No doubt about it.

Why?

The casserole!! Ha! I really just love the family time without the stress that can come with Christmas. Thanksgiving just feels more relaxed. There's isn't anything else to worry about happening, no stress of shopping and wrapping presents leading up to the day. It's just a time to enjoy being with your people and eating delicious food! And casserole.

Favorite traditions from your favorite holiday?

I still love watching the parade! Especially now that I have kids of my own. The last few years we have gone out of town with my family for the long weekend. I really enjoy this new tradition! We go to a beach town, so it's super peaceful since not many people travel there during that time of year. It's a great time to just relax and enjoy uninterrupted time together. It's us, my parents, my sister & BIL, and my cousin. We end up celebrating Thanksgiving with Jonathan's family the weekend before or after. What's better than TWO Thanksgivings?! I've also been trying the ol' "go around the table and say what you're thankful for" when we are eating. It's sweet to have that intentional thankful time with the people I love most!

Favorite foods from your favorite holiday?

Have I mentioned the casserole?? All of it. I love a good sweet potato casserole. I'm in charge of making this for my family, and my favorite recipe comes for 100 Days of Real Food. Although I have to leave off the pecan crunch because my dad is allergic to nuts (so rude, I know ;)). I love my sister's cornbread dressing, Jonathan's turkey, my mom's deviled eggs, and a good dinner roll. And of course some pie. Any pie will do. Or all of the pies. Whichever. My mother-in-law always makes the most delicious pies!!

What does that holiday typically look like for you and your family?

Both of our families are casual, thank goodness, so it's always a day to just spend time together and enjoy good food! Being out of town means we do a lot of the meal prep work beforehand, so it's an easy day to just enjoy a meal! And of course a nap in the afternoon (if all the kids cooperate). Jonathan's family usually does dinner. Sometimes it's just the immediate family (which is still A LOT of people - 12 grandkids and 8 adults) and Jonathan's mom does all of the cooking. Some years all of the aunts, uncles, and cousins come too and it's a big pot luck. We end up having 3 or 4 tables set up because of all the people! It's crazy, but I love it. And even though I never actually go out for Black Friday shopping, I love digging through all of the sales papers.

Now I want to hear from YOU! What is your favorite holiday? What are your favorite traditions from that holiday? Is it cooling off where you are so that it's starting to actually feel like the holiday season or are you still sweating like me?