What began as a dreary and somber weekend turned itself around and the clan had good cheer and lots of laughs being together at the in-laws' house. They are truly excellent hosts and every year have a welcoming house that is beautifully decorated and full of warm feelings and good things to eat.
We attended Aunt Evelyn's graveside service on Friday in the rain among throngs of cousins and her one remaining brother, my father-in-law. Her children invited us back to their church to eat lunch. Cousin, Diane's, Sunday School class fed us in style. The tables were covered in tablecloths and wreaths of holly. The buffet was full of scrumptious choices. They treated us all like royalty and waited on us hand and foot.
Friday night of our annual family gathering is typically attended by the older members of the family and is always "wing night". It is becoming legendary. Our hosts find a cool wing spot and we all bring our bests appetites. This year we went to Johnson's (I think that is the name of the place.) There were 10 of us and we consumed 100 wings. And they were good. We also enjoyed a terrific cake from Publix as we were celebrating nephew, Garrett's, college graduation! Woohoo! Attaboy!
On Saturday all the younger members arrived - except Number One Daughter, who was home-bound this weekend because L had the adnovirus. A bad sore throat with fever. I spent a lot of the day wishing she were there, knowing that she loves being in the thick of the family.
We always take a family picture at this get together and the last several years there has been a "theme" to our photos. Enter the mustache. Oh yes. Even the babies. It was pretty hilarious. So. Follow the fun below...
The in-laws that look like out-laws.
Nephew #1 and Son in the middle duke it out, old fashioned boxing style. Take note of the questionable onlookers. A surly bunch, for sure.
Uncle Tom and his mother, Edith. Don't they look alike?
Mr. Macho and his dad and sisters. Strong family resemblance!
Sweethearts.
Out of town son and his Mrs.
Wow. Did I hear you say, "Hey Mother Goose!?" Watch out for this guy.
Son in the middle and his family. Sweet Pea didn't care for the feel of the mustache, so she wore her's "uni-brow" style.
Garret and Amy. Way to go college grad!!
Senior picture pose.
Another high school pose.
High school posers.
Obligatory football pose.
Heisman pose...
....it runs in the family from the grandfather all the way down....
...to the newest member of the family. He is such a little man!
Another tradition is the peppermint pig. It is in a velvet bag and we pass it around with a tiny silver hammer and everybody gets to hammer the pig. Even the little ones. Then we open the bag and pass it around again and everybody takes a piece of the peppermint to eat. It symbolically binds us together and brings us good luck in the New Year.
Dirty Santa got jiggy this year with lots of stealing and maneuvering going on. There was even an extra gift under the tree for the person who volunteered to be "Santa"...Uncle Jay was rewarded with a Christmas ornament of the dad from "A Christmas Story" complete with leg lamp! Uncle Jay couldn't have been happier. It was a great gift to end a great game of Dirty Santa.
And so things brings us right into Christmas week. Mr. Macho has the next few weeks off of work. We will sleep late and relax and think of our family and be with our family and celebrate Glad Tidings.
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