Our Christmas Tradition

Our family tradition on Christmas day has always been to go to a family reunion. For as long as I can remember, my dad's family has rented out a church on Christmas day and we all bring food and eat and spend part of our day together.


I had great fun at these reunions as a child....I have so many great memories.


Its always so good to see everyone. My dad is 1 of 14 children......12 of which are still with us. Not everyone comes, but the majority do. The family has grown so much and I don't get to see them that often. Sometimes its a game to pick out which child goes with which adult.


I love this tradition because its not fancy....its not stressful....its just come as you are....bring a smile...and a dish....and have fun!


Here is what it looked like when we got there.....it was still early and not everyone was there....nor was all of the food.




I did take one picture while I was eating to try and show how many of us there were.....but there were always people milling around....and I had to hurry and get back to my food....priorities people!!!

I also love it because there is a lot of room for these little rugrats to run around without getting into too much trouble....and there are a lot of them....these are just a few as I didn't take pictures of the ugly ones! I'm only kidding.....(but I did take pics of the cutest ones)!




It used to be us running around......we're definitely not the little ones anymore!

Hey, remember the guy I'm standing next to above? That is my cousin, Bubba....from this story! We'll never be as close as we once were....but its still good to see him none the less! (Nope, no sign of Gump)


So, here....Zander is playing with Gracie's new kitty. He was fascinated with it as it purred and moved like a real cat.

Funny story.....he followed me into the bathroom....because moms can never use the bathroom alone (can I get an Amen, Moms?)..... Anyway, I sat the cat on the sink because I didn't want Zander to drop it in the toilet or get it wet. After Zander used the big potty and flushed a bazillion times I lifted him up to wash his hands. I could see in the mirror the whole time we were washing our hands and scrubbing with soap and rinsing.....that this cat was blinking - like it was patiently waiting for us to finish. Then it started purring. I probably sounded a little strange laughing my butt off in the bathroom. Another kid tried to take the cat away from Zander later....and the cat pushed out its back legs and hissed!!! That is just karma!!!


I'm not sure why Zander isn't so gentle with his real cats. He loves them....but he is sooo much rougher with them.

Later on, Gracie wanted to give Zander a kiss....I guess she is into kisses now. Here she is saying, "Come on. I kiss you."

But lazy Zander wouldn't get up off the floor to give her one. Instead, he picked up the basketball with his feet and offered it to her. Now mind you, it was wet because he had dropped that in the toilet.....and I washed it off. Gracie turned to her mom and said "Momma, I don't want that nasty ball." I couldn't take a picture....because I was laughing too hard.


So, then Gracie went over to Zander and bent down and gave him a kiss anyway.


Then walked off satisfied....leaving Zander a little shocked, I think!


Pastor Zander, please lead us in some hymns......

This is my family - my parents, my sister and her family (Dara and Nikki stayed home as Dara would not leave her toys)...