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If I don't show you any other pictures from our Christmas this year,
I must show you this one ⬇️
Ron and I,
our four children and three children-in-law,
our fifteen grandchildren,
Ron and I,
our four children and three children-in-law,
our fifteen grandchildren,
my mom, and my sister
. . . all in one place at one time!
. . . all in one place at one time!
It was the first time that we had all been together at Christmas since 2021.
What a gift!
And there were a host of memory-making moments!
Some were recorded and some escaped the camera,
some are special and some are ordinary,
some are special and some are ordinary,
but all are treasured and stored in my heart.
Unhurried time together.
Hugs. Little footsteps. Guests.
Coffee. Lots of meals. Lots of leftovers in the fridge.
Unplanned dress-alikes.
Christmas movies. Christmas jammies.
CHRISTMAS DAY.
A very special rendition of "Joy to the World."
Christmas breakfast. Orange rolls.
Aunt Bekah opening her gifts.
Caleb and Ellie enjoying Aunt Bekah's new rug.
Visiting a friend who is in rehab.
More feasting.
Visiting Gammy. Goodies.
Good-byes . . . one group at a time . . .
until our gathering of 26 people was back to the 3 of us . . .
and then Bekah went to a conference for five days
and Ron and I were alone in the house.
Unhurried time together.
Hugs. Little footsteps. Guests.
Coffee. Lots of meals. Lots of leftovers in the fridge.
Unplanned dress-alikes.
Christmas movies. Christmas jammies.
Music of all kinds . . .
Christmas carols,
Christmas carols,
impromptu karaoke that went on for hours
(Peter singing "It's a Wonderful World" as Louis Armstrong had us all in stitches!)
violin, piano, guitar, singing.
I was thankful that my voice recovered enough that I could sing in our church's Christmas cantata.
(Peter singing "It's a Wonderful World" as Louis Armstrong had us all in stitches!)
violin, piano, guitar, singing.
I was thankful that my voice recovered enough that I could sing in our church's Christmas cantata.
Little grands decorating cookies. My mom made her sugar cookie dough, I cut most of them out (until the littles came in and cut out a few), and the littles decorated them. With LOTS of decorating sugar. Spoonfuls, in fact. They were true sugar cookies!
Little cousins doing crafts, playing Duplo, "playing" the piano, and eating breakfast together in the kitchen.
Little cousins doing crafts, playing Duplo, "playing" the piano, and eating breakfast together in the kitchen.
FAMILY CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION!
Joy. Togetherness.
Hors d'oeuvres buffet.
Gifts for all. Piles of wrapping paper. Ribbon "necklaces."
Ryan's prize of a $50 Amazon gift card to the person who most closely guessed the number of Jolly Joes in the jar. (Gavin won!)
Family photo.
Gammy's trifle, Bekah's fudge, and lots of cookies.
Christmas Eve candlelight service.
Joy. Togetherness.
Hors d'oeuvres buffet.
Gifts for all. Piles of wrapping paper. Ribbon "necklaces."
Ryan's prize of a $50 Amazon gift card to the person who most closely guessed the number of Jolly Joes in the jar. (Gavin won!)
Family photo.
Gammy's trifle, Bekah's fudge, and lots of cookies.
Christmas Eve candlelight service.
CHRISTMAS DAY.
A very special rendition of "Joy to the World."
Christmas breakfast. Orange rolls.
Aunt Bekah opening her gifts.
Caleb and Ellie enjoying Aunt Bekah's new rug.
Visiting a friend who is in rehab.
More feasting.
Visiting Gammy. Goodies.
Good-byes . . . one group at a time . . .
until our gathering of 26 people was back to the 3 of us . . .
and then Bekah went to a conference for five days
and Ron and I were alone in the house.
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| Photo by my friend Carla |
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| Photos by Kati |
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We had eight days full of memory-making moments!
And then there was one more celebratory day when Ron's siblings and their spouses joined us for a post-Christmas gathering.
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| Photo by my sister-in-law Pat |
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You really are the hub round which the family wheel turns! Lovely photos.
ReplyDeleteOh, Barbara, it is my pleasure, and I will do it as long as I am able! Thank you for your kind words! I hope that you are continuing to progress in your recovery!
DeleteWhat wonderful memories! Happy times for the next generation also. These are the "good ole days". Katie's little daughter looks so much like her, cute. I bet your Christmas list (or lists) is very long and organized. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Melissa! I love the thought that these will be the "good ole days" to my grands! Ellie does look very much like Kati, and she has her sweet and gentle disposition too. My list is long, yes, but I do my best to keep things simple at Christmas and do more personal things for birthdays.
DeleteAh! So much JOY! Plaid paper and bags, happy smiles, good food, Aunt Bekah got a Strawberry Thief patterned rug! I miss our Christmas visits with you.
ReplyDeleteI love seeing the photo of you, Ron and Bekah singing at church!
Deanna Rabe
Thank you, Deanna! You know, I think of you when I use plaid wrapping paper! Yes, it was a joyful Christmas this year! I miss our Christmas visits too! We should keep trying . . .
DeleteWow, how very wonderful you could all gather and then have more gatherings. Woohoo that your voice came back for the cantata. The house must have really felt quiet when it was just the two of you for those 5 days. So many wonderful photos to capture those special moments. Peter's Karaoke was fun!! The food looks amazing. What a delight!! Your grands are growing up. Sure goes fast...
ReplyDeleteThank you for all of your kind words, Ellen! I was so grateful that everyone could gather and be healthy . . . such a blessing in a group of our size! Indeed, it did feel quiet when everyone was gone, but Ron and I enjoyed some down time, and then got ready for his sibling gathering. We all enjoyed Peter's voice impression of Louis Armstrong! He had a hard time keeping a straight face with all of us laughing! :) Oh, the grands do grow up so fast . . . faster than our own children, I think.
DeleteGreat family photos. Tell daughter in law Sara, her hair looks amazing!
ReplyDeleteBarb
PS Happy New Year.
Thank you, Barb! And I will pass your compliment along to Sarah! Happy New Year to you and yours!
DeleteWonderful pictures.
ReplyDeleteHow special you could all be together at the same time.
You have a beautiful family.
Thanks so much, Great-Granny Grandma! It was very special . . . and I have to agree with you that they are beautiful!
DeleteWhat a beautiful memory to treasure! It must have been so special to have everyone together for Christmas. Such a lovely photo to capture the joy of the season!
ReplyDeleteYou are invited to check out my new post: https://www.melodyjacob.com/2025/01/denim-on-denim-styling-cinched-waist-denim-vest.html
Thank you, Melody! It was so wonderful to gather!
DeleteCheryl, how wonderful to have had all that wonderful time together with the whole family! Love your photos. They really show what a warm, welcoming home and wonderful family bonds you've created. Your comment on my latest post sounds like me, posting much less frequently than we once did. Wishing you a wonderful 2025.
ReplyDeleteJean, it truly was wonderful to have time together! I thank you for your kind words.
DeleteYes, posting less frequently has been our pattern lately, but we're still keeping our toes in the water! Blessings in your New Year!
What wonderful moments you've captured in your words and photos. Truly, your heart must be full to overflowing. Being together is the best.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lorrie! I am so grateful for our time together!
Deletesuch heartfelt sweetness.. blessings..
ReplyDeleteWe are blessed indeed. Blessings to you in this New Year, Sherry!
DeleteHow wonderful that everyone was able to be together for Christmas. I love all the pictures. And the videos, too. What sweet memories made. Cheryl, not only is your home a beautiful place to host gatherings, but you do such a great job capturing moments in pictures. I can't get over how quickly your littlest grands are growing. Their sweet cherubic faces just make me smile.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Becki! I love having those moments recorded to look back on! Oh my . . . those littles are growing up so fast!
Delete