As families prepared to gather around the Thanksgiving dinner table today, many residents said they have much to be thankful for this holiday.

Seven-year-old Parker Gillen of Chesapeake was spending the day with his father at his car lot - and looking forward to Thanksgiving.

Although he said he was having dinner with his family, Parker also expressed an interest in going to the family farm and riding four-wheelers.

&#8220I am thankful for my family,” he said.

The Sybene senior citizens center was all but empty Wednesday afternoon after lunch.

Dora Blunk and co-worker Deloris Davis were manning the front desk, each anxious to get home.

Both women said they were thankful for their health.

&#8220Thankful that we've got a Thanksgiving,” Blunk said. &#8220Thankful for the Lord and what he provides.”

Blunk is spending the holiday with her granddaughter, and although she said it was the first Thanksgiving she has not had all the family at her home, she is still going to do some cooking.

Blunk said she is looking forward to dinner and spending time with her family.

&#8220We're having dinner - seventeen of us,” she said with a smile. &#8220It's a wonderful day, a day to be thankful for.”

&#8220It really is,” Davis agreed.

Many of the county's grocery stores were packed on Wednesday with people stocking up on food for the holiday.

Brie and Zach Bartrum and their 3-year-old sister, Destiny Kirk, were helping their mom complete her shopping at FoodFair in South Point.

According to the youth, they had a big day planned for Thanksgiving. And they were definitely looking forward to it.

Ten-year-old Brie said she is thankful for her family. She said on Thanksgiving, they are going to their &#8220maw-maw's” house where they will have dinner together and then all the kids usually go out and play.

Then, they will be off to her other grandmother's house to visit, she said.

Her brother, 7-year-old Zach, said he is most thankful for his mommy and said he has big plans as well for the holiday.

&#8220I am going to watch football and eat turkey,” he said. &#8220I like turkey.”

Their little sister, Destiny Kirk, who just turned three, last week said she liked turkey.

When asked what she was going to do for Thanksgiving, she answered very matter-of-factly, as only a 3-year-old can.

&#8220I'm going to go to ‘maw-maw' Jenny's,” she said. &#8220And there will be toys at maw-maw Jenny's house.”