We came home "early" from Indiana today so we could get our Christmas tree. We drove through Wendy's for lunch, stopped at Grandpa L's butcher shop, and stopped one more time to borrow Shannon's truck on our way home.
We picked out a lovely fraser fir in record time at Growing Grounds, snapped our family Christmas tree shopping selfie, and walked through a bit of the beautiful shop while Jeremy paid for the tree.
It's not the same as our "fat, fat Christmas tree of 2014," but it sure is pretty--and it smells SO nice! I'm sure it will take us at least until the end of the week to get it all decorated.
We went to church at 'Busco Naz' this morning, then went back to Mom and Dad's just to load up the car before heading out. It was hard to say goodbye to these sweet faces...
But, as they started to get sad, we talked about how glad we were to get to spend a few days together doing fun things. We decided to be happy about making good memories instead of being sad to say goodbye.
Then the kids discovered they could fit inside the box from their remote control monster truck and see out!
It's better to say goodbye with a smile! We are so thankful for God's hand in our lives and all the ways He has blessed us in this life!
The extended Mc Fam gathered to give thanks today at the CCCoG.
Lots of pictures were taken, as usual. I like to take a picture of a picture being taken at this gathering, because there's at least 2 being taken at any given moment. Some say our photographing is a family sickness, but I say it is documenting of life and collecting blessing reminders.
More cousins having fun together!
The family Christmas band played after lunch.
Annah looks so much like her Great Aunts Juanita and Marcia when she plays her clarinet! Here is photographic proof it!
Scott and his little oboist Emily
Great percussionists!
Esme and Sylvia have been really looking forward to seeing each other and playing their horns together! They enjoyed their time together today and exchanged email addresses. I don't think they even know their moms were pen-pal cousins all through high school and college.
Aidan on tuba and his NeeNee on bass clarinet, keeping things low...
After the chops gave out, we sat around and talked some more.
When Scott is around and you don't protect your phone or camera...
We had a lovely afternoon together, and have much to be thankful for. As we left the church, Sylvia said how much fun she'd had, and that this is always her favorite reunion. And I noted how interesting it is that when the kindest, most unassuming, quietest member of the family is no longer present, there is such a large space left, both in the room and in our hearts. We sure do miss Aunt Wanda. Uncle Earl came down to Mom and Dad's house this evening and sat and chatted with us for quite some time. It helps to share conversations and memories and love.
Last night, after all the Thanksgiving meals, no one wanted to cook anything for supper. And none of the adults wanted to eat anything anyway! But, these kids thought they were hungry...so they ate Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal for supper!
Today, our small version of the Mc family (my family, Travis' family, and Mom and Dad) spent the day together celebrating Christmas!
Mom and Sylvia finally made the cinnamon roll pie crust they've been wanting to try. It was beautiful!
Though they'd originally thought they'd use that fancy crust for a pumpkin pie, Gram had spent about 8 hours cracking pecans she and Dad collected from the pecan groves near their home in Arizona last winter. So, they made an absolutely incredible pecan pie! It was heavenly!
The kids all finished decorating Gram's/Mamaw's tiny Christmas tree.
Quick cousin pic!
Wow, these kids love each other.
Uncle Jeremy is a favorite pal when he is around...He is strong enough to fling little kids around in the air, makes funny faces, teases them...and they love it. Bryce even likes to sit still and snuggle for a bit.
We had such fun opening gifts!
Uncle Travis, official videographer of Christmas...
Crocheted with love for Mom...
A painting done by my Grandpa in 1937--what a treasure!
Krampa and Annah
Not a tuberculosis pie--Triple Berry--one of Mom's best!
Oh the meal Mom prepared!! Roast pork, sauerkraut with apples, steamed broccoli, macaroni and cheese, homegrown corn , and those amazing pies!
This afternoon, the kids decided to make and decorate sugar cookies!
They even decorated them all by themselves, and they were really good. There were only 3 left by bedtime tonight.
We just hung out all day, enjoyed the fact that all 12 of us were together, and it was wonderful...
The 2015 "Fake Surprise" selfie face...
I still can't do duck lips...
In the midst of the cookie baking and decorating, there was some tv watching--a little football, a little Four Christmases, a little Santa Claus is Coming to Town--and a lot of snuggling, playing, chatting, and being happy.
