Christmas pictures and YES there are a lot

We spent our traditional Christmas Eve with Bud's sister's family.  We have been doing this for a long time and it is a wonderful tradition.  

 Brittany and Charlotte look beautiful, as always.  It is hard to believe they are almost all grown up.

 David put on his 'best smile' for pictures this year.  His girlfriend, Danielle told him she wanted to see him smiling in the blog pictures.  Thank You, Danielle.  He looks terrific.

 Sue and Jack look fantastic too.  When did Jack get taller than his mother??

 Dick and Hettie, the neighbors at the cottage, came over to share dinner.  David tried to get away with telling me that he made the gingerbread house on the table.  I didn't believe it.  John, a neighbor here, came along with Bud and me.  He is 92 years old and his family lives in New York so we thought he needed to join us.  It was nice of Sue and Walt to allow us to bring him along.

 WOW, another one of those big smiles for the camera.  Such a handsome man too.

 Ah Yes, sister and brother.  It is nice for us to have them living so close by.  Maybe a good chance for Bud to repair all the damage he did as an older brother while Sue was growing up.

 Hey, I got to pose with two beautiful girls.  Lucky me.

 And Walt was able to do the same.

 The traditional Christmas story was read by the tree before some presents were handed out.  LOTS to be thankful for.

 A picture of the whole family.  The last year of Christmas before the BIG summer wedding.  Next year Brittany will be a married woman.  WOW, that is hard to believe.  We missed John but he was with his family this evening.

After dinner and pictures, Bud and I came back home while the family went to Christmas Eve services.  We watched a movie and were in bed early enough so that we were able to get up and on the road in the morning.  We made it out of the house by 8:00 and were in Grand Rapids by 10:30.

 Leo arrived shortly after us.  Jessica and Doug were there before us, helping Eva with the cooking.

 Eva and Jessica made a wonderful dinner of barbecue ribs, garlic potatoes, roasted broccoli and fruit salad. They are such good cooks.

 Jessica and Doug spent Christmas Eve with his family and arrived early in the morning to cook and relax.

 The Christmas story was read by the fire once again.

 Doug was invited to join the family by adding his Christmas tree bulb on Eva's tree.  They too are spending their last Christmas as single.  He is a wonderful addition to the family.

 I know this is a strange picture but the 'fun guy gift' was these L.E.D. lights and this is the best way to show their power.

 Jessica and Doug received a new waterproof camera from Eva.

 Eva received a new wood carrier from Bud.  She usually uses a box or just carries the wood in her hands so this will be an improvement.  She loves to make fires so I am sure that it will be used often.

 Maybe you are thinking that Doug is taking a nap or doing sit-ups.  No, he is trying out his new 'back  message tube'.  Look closely and you can see it under his back.  Matt has one and it is suppose to give you a message when you can't afford to go to a professional.

 I am wearing my new sweater from Eva and my new 'broach' from Jessica and Doug.  I just had to get in a couple of pictures.
After presents we spent a little time on the I-Phones doing some 'face time' with Sara, Leo, Erik and Sofi in the Cape.  They were having a quiet Christmas day. We were so thankful to spend some time talking.  Isn't technology terrific.  I love talking to people far away and being able to see their faces.

Another tradition for the evening, we went to the movies. We pondered the decision but went for funny as a way to end the day.  We watched Parental Guidance which was a great funny movie.  Jess and Doug went home from the movie, the old folks went back to the house and relaxed a bit before heading to bed.  It was a beautiful day and I was so thankful for all the family time, both in person and 'face time'.

 The next morning Eva was up cooking for us again. We had a great breakfast egg bake and more family talk.

 While sitting around and just relaxing Eva suggested another movie so we quickly moved around and picked a more 'heavy' movie this time.  We went to see the new Lincoln movie.  It was great and had a very 'epic' feeling.

Eva did manage to squeeze in some 'handyman' jobs for Leo.  He is great at fixing things.  He fixed Eva's faucet quite quickly and she was thankful. After the movie we came back for lunch and continued to 'ponder the troubles of the world' around the table. I now know how Dad was able to go for coffee every day in town and just sit around the table and talk with the 'guys'.  The older you get the longer you linger around the table, just talking and relaxing.
We all left just in time because a snowstorm began blowing into the Grand Rapids area.  I heard that the roads were quite slippery in the evening but everyone made it home safely.
It was a great Christmas for all.  What a wonderful family.  I am so thankful for such terrific opportunities to spend time with them.