Christmas Gathering

I love spending time with "my side" of the family.  We are all pretty scattered now, so these gatherings are spaced out a little farther than I would like.  However, Michael and Doris are so wonderful to open their home to us each year.  It is great to spend time with the people that you've known forever -- They know your  ups and  downs,  and the good, the bad and the ugly about you, but yet still love you.  There are quite a few new faces in the family now, and I really love this.  I wouldn't be honest though, if I didn't admit how very much I miss those that are no longer with us.  To me family gatherings reaffirm what life is really all about.  I feel truly blessed to have always been apart of such a wonderful family! 

Tyson enjoyed taking a little ride around the kitchen.

Aunt Bethany loving on baby Harrison.  I mainly added this picture because I love her new hairdo!

Doris, Bethany, and Harrison

Bob and Michael manning the grill......

Hunter and Phillip........

 The twins --Gerald and Michael

Uncle Gerald and Bonnye

Tyson and his Big Daddy-precious!

Simply some of my favorite people in the world!  Adrian, Doris, Kathy, Harrison, Bethany and Tyson

Kathy and Harrison-There is nothing sweeter than a newborn!!

Sweet Bubba-

Jodi and Harrison

Hunter

Adrian and Caleb

 Cousin Bob ~ love him!!

Boys will be boys!

Cassandra decided to "pop" in!

 Newlyweds-Cassandra and Gil

Mom and daughter

Joe

My uncles- Gerald, Uncle Harry and Michael

Jodi and Jon (I think he's a keeper Jodi!)

And last but not least!

We missed you if you weren't able to be with us!

Merry Christmas!!

Oh Baby!

Lindsey and I recently helped host a shower for Alanna.  I was so happy to do this.  Her mother has been such an important part of my life forever (literally), and Alanna and Lindsey have been lifelong friends!   She is due the first of January and looks precious.  I know Alanna and Brent will be the perfect parents.  They received lots of adorable things for Addie Grace.  She is one blessed little girl! 

Ann made this diaper cake.  I think I'm going to try this.....

Martha, Alanna, and Lindsey - all three are expecting!

Cuties!

Laura Lee joins the group!

Girls will be girls!

Hostesses with Alanna and Gloria

Mom to be and her mom.......

Lots of presents for Addie Grace.....

Lots of fun opening those gifts!

It was great being part of this special event.  I can't wait to meet Addie Grace!

Our Girls

Lindsey and I helped with a baby shower for a special friend this weekend (next post).  Before the shower, we headed to get pictures with Santa.  On the way, I attempted to get a picture of our girls.  When you're two and a half that can sometimes be a challenge.  She is a precious, silly goose!!!

First, an attempt in front of the tree......

 I never got that perfect shot, but we had fun trying!!

Merry Christmas!

It's a Family Thing - Part 2

Aunt Sandra decided to entertain the kids (or try to keep them settled for a few minutes)  after eating.  She did this by providing boxes and all the goodies for making candy houses.  The fun began with some of the adults gathering in the shop to put the houses together.  Remember, according to Reed, a structurally sound house is essential to a successful house!!


Decorating them is lots of fun!!

Lots of assistance and advice was given.......

Beautiful!

Fun was had by all!  Everyone left their houses for Grandmother to enjoy for the Christmas Season. 

Merry Christmas!!

It's a Family Thing!

This was the 22nd year that we have made our gingerbread houses.  (We actually made these the night before Thanksgiving.)  Josh, Lindsey and Maddie weren't able to be here, but I know that they will be glad to know that we have boxes waiting just for them!!  We begin each year by "preparing" our boxes.  Reed always insists that they be structurally sound.  He used to build them for us, but it seems that he now feels we should be able to do it ourselves after so many years........

Here is this year's cast of builders.......We each approach building our houses in different ways.  Sometimes, we plan out in advance exactly what we're going to do.  Or, sometimes we do like I did this year and just wing it!!  Either way, it's lots of fun!

 Caleb had a few hours home alone on building day, so he was quite prepared.  He used pastry bags, made a graham cracker "stucco" finish for his house, and added lots of special little details.   Reed usually plans his out in great detail in advance.  This year he made train complete with a conductor.  I, on the other hand, went freestyle this year!!

 Here are our houses in various stages.  Reed is demonstrating an important step.  If something breaks, if it doesn't fit, or it just looks "yummy" - you eat it!!  This is one of our favorite steps!

And here are the finished products!!

Individual shots- 

This is mine-

Caleb's-

 

And Reed's-

To me the Christmas season doesn't really start until the candy houses are built........

Merry Christmas!!

Thankful

 Family gatherings are such an enjoyable time.  I love seeing relatives that we don't see nearly often enough, watching the children grow and change, seeing how excited they are to see each other, and eating entirely too much wonderful food!  Josh, Lindsey and Maddie weren't able to come and we greatly missed them.  However, it was still a special day for all of us.

Papa and Reed fried up some great tasting turkeys out back in the shop.....

 Back at the house, everything is ready.  It was such a beautiful day, we ate outside.

 Kristie and her dad, Yvonne, Caleb, Papa, and Brooke are waiting to eat (along with the rest of us)!

 Wonderful food!!

Enjoying each other's company!

 Climbing trees and football - a winning combination!

And after a long day of eating and playing, it's rest time! (Don't you love Brooke's face?  That's the I've had enough pictures look!)

Thanksgiving is the perfect time to reflect on all the blessings we have.  Time spent with family and friends is one of the greatest blessings of all........Can't wait until Christmas!!