For the past few years, New Years has become a bigger celebration in our family than Christmas. Because of all the teachers in our family, and the fact that our kids all live far from home, it makes more sense for us to get together and celebrate Christmas, Ken’s birthday (Dec. 30), and New Years during the week between Christmas and New Years.
We did that this past week and it was every bit as wonderful and crazy and chaotic as you might expect with 16-17 people under one roof for eight days! Our kids and our precious daughter-in-law and sons-in-law all make it easy, pitching in to cook, clean up, and corral the kids. Here are just a few photos from a memorable week.
We spent a day with my dad (Gramps) at his new place in the country. He’s doing well since my mom’s death, and keeping busy with 40 acres in the gorgeous Kansas Flint Hills. (These “goofy” photos always turn out to be our favorites…and reflect the real us much more accurately. 😉 )
Ken’s mom spent a night with us (amazing how many people we can sleep in our not-that-big house!) and as always in this family, the game tables were full! And fun!
This was my goal: Papa and Mimi and a sofa full of grandkids. Pure bliss…for about two minutes. Haha!
Our grandgirls are sorely outnumbered by boys, but they manage to hold their own just fine!
These three Seattle-ites are really NO trouble at all, but aren’t those shirts cute?
All the “bigs” at the kids’ table for a PB&J lunch. I don’t think we had a serious spill all week!
Collin read to enrapt babies in a rare quiet moment.
This was the chaos that was our belated, elated “Christmas morning.”
Our Second Annual Gingerbread House Decorating Contest was a huge success!
It wasn’t quite as difficult to tell everyone goodbye this week since we’ll see our Missouri kiddos next month, and our Seattle kiddos in March. I love having dates on the calendar when I know I’ll see the ones I love. All in all, life is good and 2017 is shaping up to be a spectacular year full of God’s ongoing blessings.
What are you most looking forward to in the new year?”
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You have been blessed!
Thanks, Ane. I don’t take it lightly!
What a beautiful family! So happy you were able to spend such a wonderful time with your loved ones.
Happy New Year!
Thank you, Betty. We don’t get to spend enough time together, but we make it count when we ARE together! 🙂
Hi Deb, I loved seeing these photos and hearing more about your weeks with your family. I was just thinking this morning that I am grateful for the way you have encouraged and long-distanced mentored me in so many ways in my writing and as a mom and grandmom. Thanks very much!
I loved seeing your photos of your family gathering, too, Carrie. Looks like you had a wonderful time together!
You have a beautiful family, Deb. You are so blessed!
Thank you, Lynn. God is good. And what we miss in frequency seeing each other, we make up for in making the most of our brief times together.
As always, you make me smile! Thank you for sharing your family and fun!
My pleasure, Roxy. And thank you for all you’ve poured into my family without even meeting most of them! You’ve blessed US! 🙂
I love all of the photos! Looks like everyone had a wonderful time!
We really did, Melissa. Thanks so much! It’s a blessing to have kids who still enjoy each others’ company, and especially to have in-laws who fit right in to the family.
Thanks for sharing all of your wonderful family pictures.What a blessing.
Thank you, Diana. So appreciate you following the blog!