Family Christmas *pics*
Since Facebook is such a big part of sharing pictures with my family, I've become remiss in doing the photo montages of our family gatherings. But now since my mother "unfriended" me on there, she can't see my photos, so I guess I should go back to putting these memories back in this form. She likes them like this anyway so she can email it out to her friends.
So...without further ado, I give you, the Vermeer Family Christmas.
December 18, 2010 at my parents' house.
Dinner was set for noon, and we arrived about 11:30. "Aunt" Laura was already there, as were my sister Jeanette and her family (hubby Jeremy and sons Dalton-15, and Max-18 months.) My brother, Brian, and his family pulled up just a few minutes later (wife-Gayle, daughter-Mary 5 yrs old)
Hail hail the gang's all here...except for my Phoenix sister Shelli and her hub Robert and their kids/grandkids.
While Mom finished up dinner preparations, Molly entertained the little ones.
Shelli's traditional call came during this time so we all got to talk to her before eating. It's how she can be a part of the festivities from 1000 miles away!
(Dalton threatens me to not take his picture....but HAHAHAHAHA...I did it anyway!)
The food was finally ready, and Dalton blessed it.
Once the meal was over, we got right to the opening of gifts, since we were pressed for time (Molly and I had to get back for our dress reheasal for the cantata. They'd moved it to the afternoon for us since we couldn't be there for a morning practice.)
Molly and Mary passed out presents....
while Dalton babysat Max.
Then came time for the "First Gift of Christmas!" (can you tell I'd been Polar Expressing all week?)
The kids all took turns opening gifts, and were pleased with what they received.
(video games all around!)
Max had a big time with his gifts...but liked the bows better!
Dalton got some good stuff...
and Mary did, too.
"It says MARY!"
"This one says Mary, too"
of course the babies liked the bows best!
When Mary saw Max get attention earlier for having a bow on his head, she had to have one, too!
The more bows the better!
There were hats and gloves for everyone....
and wallets made out of duct tape for the boys.
And of course...the traditional box of Little Debbies from Aunt Laura!
Fudge Rounds for the girls
and OatPies for the guys.
When all that excitement was over, the kids settled in to doing what kids do best...
playing with their toys
and curling up with Poppa!
Then it was OUR turn!
We all received wonderful things, but it seemed that we all enjoyed finding just the "right" thing for the recipient we'd drawn even more!
Jeanette made Brian an "atom" clock. Check out the numbers on it!
Jeanette later said this was her "bestest Christmas present ever!"
Jeremy collects Coca-Cola items.
I got a picture mug.
WOO PIG SOOIE Aunt Laura!
I have memories of my daddy eating Chow-Chow relish when I was a child, so I had to pick up a jar of this for him.
Mom loves Peanuts, and tends to get a lot of Charlie Brown stuff at Christmas!
and of course we got Little Debbies, too....
but this year, so did Aunt Laura!
Of course I had to get pics with my neice and nephews.
but Max wasn't cooperating.
He wanted to play his brother's guitar instead
LA-LA-LA
But, as we always do, we had a great time together.
My family makes the most out of any reason to celebrate.
This Christmas was no different.
It may have taken place a week before the actual holiday, but noone seemed to notice, because when you have the real reason for the season in your heart, everyday is Christmas!
So...without further ado, I give you, the Vermeer Family Christmas.
December 18, 2010 at my parents' house.
Dinner was set for noon, and we arrived about 11:30. "Aunt" Laura was already there, as were my sister Jeanette and her family (hubby Jeremy and sons Dalton-15, and Max-18 months.) My brother, Brian, and his family pulled up just a few minutes later (wife-Gayle, daughter-Mary 5 yrs old)
Hail hail the gang's all here...except for my Phoenix sister Shelli and her hub Robert and their kids/grandkids.
While Mom finished up dinner preparations, Molly entertained the little ones.
Shelli's traditional call came during this time so we all got to talk to her before eating. It's how she can be a part of the festivities from 1000 miles away!
(Dalton threatens me to not take his picture....but HAHAHAHAHA...I did it anyway!)
The food was finally ready, and Dalton blessed it.
Once the meal was over, we got right to the opening of gifts, since we were pressed for time (Molly and I had to get back for our dress reheasal for the cantata. They'd moved it to the afternoon for us since we couldn't be there for a morning practice.)
Molly and Mary passed out presents....
while Dalton babysat Max.
Then came time for the "First Gift of Christmas!" (can you tell I'd been Polar Expressing all week?)
The kids all took turns opening gifts, and were pleased with what they received.
(video games all around!)
Max had a big time with his gifts...but liked the bows better!
Dalton got some good stuff...
and Mary did, too.
"It says MARY!"
"This one says Mary, too"
of course the babies liked the bows best!
When Mary saw Max get attention earlier for having a bow on his head, she had to have one, too!
The more bows the better!
There were hats and gloves for everyone....
and wallets made out of duct tape for the boys.
And of course...the traditional box of Little Debbies from Aunt Laura!
Fudge Rounds for the girls
and OatPies for the guys.
When all that excitement was over, the kids settled in to doing what kids do best...
playing with their toys
and curling up with Poppa!
Then it was OUR turn!
We all received wonderful things, but it seemed that we all enjoyed finding just the "right" thing for the recipient we'd drawn even more!
Jeanette made Brian an "atom" clock. Check out the numbers on it!
Jeanette later said this was her "bestest Christmas present ever!"
Jeremy collects Coca-Cola items.
I got a picture mug.
WOO PIG SOOIE Aunt Laura!
I have memories of my daddy eating Chow-Chow relish when I was a child, so I had to pick up a jar of this for him.
Mom loves Peanuts, and tends to get a lot of Charlie Brown stuff at Christmas!
and of course we got Little Debbies, too....
but this year, so did Aunt Laura!
Of course I had to get pics with my neice and nephews.
but Max wasn't cooperating.
He wanted to play his brother's guitar instead
LA-LA-LA
But, as we always do, we had a great time together.
My family makes the most out of any reason to celebrate.
This Christmas was no different.
It may have taken place a week before the actual holiday, but noone seemed to notice, because when you have the real reason for the season in your heart, everyday is Christmas!
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