Thanksgiving is a special time to surround yourself with friends and family and to reflect on all of life's blessings. It is also a time to eat... a lot. Who doesn't love turkey and pumpkin pie? It's arguably the best meal of the year. Each Thanksgiving I, like many of my fellow food fanatics, follow the same pattern: eat, sleep, and repeat. Here are a few situations that perfectly illustrate the wonders and frustrations of Thanksgiving dinner:

Choosing your outfit.

That elastic waist band is really going to come in handy.

Mentally preparing yourself for the feast that awaits you.

"Patiently" waiting for the food to be cooked.

When someone needs help in the kitchen, but you're not really feeling it.

Being told that the food is ready.

May the odds be ever in your favor.

Once everyone is seated at the table.

FINALLY!

That first GLORIOUS bite.

When you realize your favorite Thanksgiving dish didn't make the cut this year.

Where is the mac and cheese? This is an outrage!

When someone offers you that weird jello casserole.

Being asked if you want seconds.

Do I want seconds? Yes. Yes I do.

When you reach for the last bread roll at the same time as someone else.

Dessert time!

You thought you were full, but it turns out you were wrong. Who can turn down pie?!

...but then...

While struggling to finish your meal.

Too. Much. Food.

Then you slowly slip into a food coma.

...but you eventually wake up and...

What you looked like before Thanksgiving...

#FLAWLESS

...and after Thanksgiving.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!