Christmas 2018 highlights

This past Christmas was one of my favorite Christmases ever. Why?, you ask. Well, because I got to see ALL of my siblings (we live in 3 different states) and be together for several days with each one. My oldest brother from Texas came with his entire family-- including his wife, 5 kids, 2 spouses and 4 of his grandkids. The youngest is about 16 months old, and I had never met that miracle baby! (She was born very premature).

So on the 22nd, the crew from Texas arrived. It was loud, close together time at my parents' house for one week. After they left (13 people), my sister and her family came. My two other brothers overlapped that time too. We were only all together (my siblings and parents) for one evening. I loved every moment. I think my parents did too.

One of the main logistical problems is feeding 20+ people at the same time. We planned several meals ahead of time, and that was a help. But even then, since we weren't used to it, we got pretty low on food. We made runs to the grocery store nearly every day. We ate a lot of fruit, 4 jars of applesauce, soup, French bread, bagels & cream cheese, and more. Everybody did not go hungry, which was a goal! 😄

It was wonderful to see my nieces and nephews, to catch up with them, and play games with them. The kids played lots of Nertz and Spades. Sometimes the adults joined in the games. There were walks to a nearby park. One day a bunch of the kids went to a nearby Fun Park and played laser tag and at the arcade. Another day, a big group went skiing in the mountains. That day, some of the rest went sledding and to the ice rink.

After the Texans left, we did take a day and go roller skating. It was pretty fun! I was glad that I never fell, and after about 10 rounds, it started to come back to me! Three of my kids and three of my siblings went skating, as well as my niece and nephew!

My parents were big-time troopers through it all, since we gathered at their house most of the time. My dad, who loves to sleep in, even got up early one day to get bagels at Einstein's! We enjoyed the bagels a lot! My dad did lots of shopping, and they did lots of dishes, cooking and cleaning. We really appreciated them! My dad kept saying how much he enjoyed having everyone there. I did too!

So here are some pictures of the days spent together during Christmas week... ( I know, it's A LOT!)

 Enjoying "the baby...

After dinner all together the first night...

 Playing Nertz with cousins...

Pulling the baby at the ice rink... 

"Cousins" enjoying games on Grandpa's phone...

On Christmas Eve, after the service at our church...

Watching "The Polar Express" ... 

 Hanging out...

Opening gifts on Christmas Day... 

B got a new outdoor game... too bad it's snowy! 

C loved his new winter coat! 

M was pretty excited about her crochet stuff in a box, including yarn, needles, a bowl and hooks! 

R got "LaLaLand" and was so happy! 

Loved this sweet baby's hat! 

Grandpa loved holding his great-granddaughter! 

My brother with his great niece... 

Chatting on Christmas morning, my hubby in his "Three Kings costume" haha!😆 

Hanging out with Uncle Tim...

SO glad we took pictures together of us... doesn't happen often enough!

 Together is the best place to be!

Baby petting the soft doggie...

The crew after Laser tag!

Look at that pile of plates! It was kind of amazing!

Our group roller skating...

My girls...

And the last morning, before "the cousins" left... loved seeing the kids play! 

After the family all left, we were glad to settle back into the routine of being home again, but I felt like the hippo at the end of "The Hippos Go Berserk!" missing the other hippos... It was a great time together. A little overwhelming, loud, crazy but oh so fun. I have lots of cousins and great memories of getting collectively at my grandparent's house at Christmas too. I'm very glad we got to be with each other this Christmas.

Our family is not quite the size of Jacob's family in the Bible...

Acts 7:13-15
On their second visit, Joseph told his brothers who he was, and Pharaoh learned about Joseph’s family.  After this, Joseph sent for his father Jacob and his whole family, seventy-five in all.  Then Jacob went down to Egypt, where he and our ancestors died.


I love this picture of Jacob and Esau coming back together after so many years apart...😓

Genesis 33:1-4

Jacob looked up and there was Esau, coming with his four hundred men; so he divided the children among Leah, Rachel and the two female servants. He put the female servants and their children in front, Leah and her children next, and Rachel and Joseph in the rear. He himself went on ahead and bowed down to the ground seven times as he approached his brother. But Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. And they wept.