Family Christmas 2011

Another family Christmas party is in the books.  Or should I say, in the photo album.  We've been having these get togethers for many years now and we have three photo albums of collected photos from summer picnics and Christmas dinners, dating back to 1996.  I know we've been getting together for longer than that but that might be the year that someone decided we should start keeping the photos in one place.  We also take a group picture each year.  It's fun to look back and see the changes over time - spouses arriving, kids being born and growing up.  Of course, it's sad too, as we lose family members to illness or old age but the photos help keep them a part of the tradition.  I'm sure they're all there with us in spirit and certainly in our hearts.  The older generations would certainly be pleased that we are carrying on these gatherings twice a year.

Here are some of the photos I'll be adding from this year:

If you ask me, watching these kids grow up, having a chance to interact with them, seeing them play together - that's the true magic of Christmas!