All of the following pages were created using Vicki Robinson's products. Credits listed at the end.
Friday Jan 12
Journaling reads: Family Time! What a wonderful time we have together! With everyone’s busy schedules and the fact that we are scattered across four states, it is only a couple of times a year that we manage to be together. And the weekend is jammed full of activity!
Since Nathanael’s schedule is the least flexible he has chosen the dates of this gathering and our gathering last summer. He and Sam and Addy stay with us. Jessica and Terry stay with Ilene. This year Jennifer was able to come so she stayed with Ilene, too! Chance, Thad and Araya stay with Elisabeth and Brad so they can be with their cousins, Hannah, Ryan and Abby. Michael, Jessica and K stay in a nearby hotel. Unfortunately, Michael came down with the flu so they did not make the trip.
When Jessica, Terry, Jennifer, and kids got here they went to see Ilene first so she could get to see the kids for a few minutes. Then they came to our house and from here we went to Ruby Tuesday’s where we had supper reservations.
Elisabeth’s family could not join us because Ryan had a basketball game, I believe. Ilene did not join us because she had recently been sick for several weeks and did not want to be out in the rainy weather. But, since Hannah is a working girl now and was not with her family, she joined us for the meal. Nathanael, Sam and Addy were not coming into town until Saturday morning.
After a relaxing, chit-chatty meal, we parted ways since it was getting late. Jessica still had to take Chance, Thad and Araya over to Elisabeth’s for the night. And I still had some food prep to do.
Once again the weather did not cooperate with us so we could be down in the woods at our pits, so we met at Elisabeth and Brad’s for the meals. I fixed beef stew, potato soup and southwest casserole for the main entrees. I also fixed cheese ball veggie spread and lots of pretzel salad. Liz and Brad fixed garbage bread, deviled eggs and there were lots of other snacky items. We had plenty to eat all weekend!
Saturday Jan 13
Journaling reads: Saturday morning and time for going to Brad and Elisabeth’s. Nat, Sam and Addy got to the house a little after 11 a.m., unloaded and we headed to Elisabeth’s. I was excited to begin our day of family time! We were sad that Michael, Jessica and K were not able to be with us!
We certainly did not have to worry about running out of food! We had enough for lunch, supper, and lunch again after church on Sunday! Plenty of desserts, too! Pumpkin and Banana bread with cream cheese icing, sugar free brownies and pretzel salad! YUMMY!
Good food and good things to go with the good food! There were even hot dogs for the pickiest of eaters!
Taking time to thank our Lord for His many blessings on our lives as a family is so very important! It is too easy to take His blessings for granted! I love seeing our hearts bowed together in prayer! Thank You, Lord!
Dirty Santa
Journaling reads: The cousins used to exchange names for Christmas gift buying. Since they are older now, last year we decided to play Dirty Santa and include the adults. Last year, not much stealing/swapping was done. This year, however, a little more of the stealing/swapping was done. I love how Addy sits as close to the pile of gifts as she can get! Her favorite gift to get is definitely a bag of candy!
The “gag” gift this year, due to my recent pickle ball episode, was a pickle ball set including balls and paddles, and a certificate for a “free” hospital visit! HA! Elisabeth was the one to pick the gift from the pile, but I, determined to play pickle ball again, took it from her. However, my recent diagnosis of osteoporosis has nixed my pickle ball playing days, I am afraid!
All in all, everyone seems to enjoy the game. And, I guess the favorite gifts are candy and cash! We had all kinds of gifts... from hatchets to lawn decor, mugs, waffle irons, and blue tooth speakers!
Family Photos
Sunday Jan 14
Journaling reads: No family get-together is complete unless we play games. Qwirkle and Code Names are the most recent favorites. And the fun part is that the grandkids are old enough to play, too! But, it is a bittersweet thing, too! No more baby hugs and kisses! Instead of playing games, some of the adults watched football.
And, just like that, Sunday comes before we know it and our weekend together is all but over. It is such a blessing to me to have the family come to church with us. After the services we always get some final group pictures. With the kids growing up and beginning lives of their own, I see our get-togethers either getting smaller, or larger as they begin raising families of their own! I pray the grandkids always want to visit and spend time with the family!
Credits list for all Layouts:
All by Vicki Robinson
Love Notes
Put a Little Love in It Addon 01 Transfers
Put a Little Love in It Addon 02 Borders
Put a Little Love in It Addon 03 Journal Papers
Put a Little Love in It Gift 01
My Life Story Addon 02
Put a Little Love in It Journal Cards
Layered Photo Frames and Groups
Messy Stitches 02 Brushes and Stamps
Font is American Typewriter Regular
Photos are mine
