Family Portraits 2006

Since we ended up all being gathered for the Christmas Holiday, Tove thought that it would be a great time for family portraits. We headed over to a place in the Piqua Mall called Portrait Avenue. This studio did a fantastic job! We were in and out, having gotten the large family as well as individual family poses, in less than 15 minutes. The results were fantastic! I would certainly recommend them to anyone. But what is most important is that we got a portrait of our ever growing family.... 16 and counting.....

Christmas Morning 2006

Christmas morning finally arrived and with a pristine and crisp day ahead the wonderful celebration officially began.

The tree bore colorfully wrapped gifts all around it which was certainly a most inviting scene for our sweet angel daughters.

Surprisingly enough however they slept well through 9:00am but once they awoke it was a time of smiles and joy as they unwrapped their many gifts. What a joy it is for Kristy and I to watch our beautiful girls enjoy the same experience we had when we were their age. It certainly provides a wonderful perspective in life to see Christmas through the eye's of a parent. The most wonderful time of the year, the best for last indeed!


After the gifts had all been unwrapped it was time to head to Eric & Jodie's for a bountiful Christmas Breakfast. They provided us a real spread of traditional home style breakfast items which we certainly enjoyed. This time of year is so perfect for family gatherings and this breakfast was a real integral part of our holiday experience. Family gathering around a smorgasbord of tasty food, now you can't beat that!

One item worthy of noting is Eric in his apron, he almost looked like a natural in the kitchen with that thing on. I think he really enjoyed being able to don that thing and cook up breakfast for all of us. Good times, for sure!

Later on in the afternoon I assisted our "Santa" with a visit to another family. I must say this guy sure loves playing the big man. Gary really loves sharing that Christmas joy to all children. I found it to be a real honor to be able to drive Chris Kringle around in his modernized red sleigh.



Santa made his visit with complete success and so the red suite will be retired for awhile but not for too long, I am sure.

Another great Christmas.........

Christmas Eve with Santa

As tradition has played for many years now, good ole' Saint Nick made his appearance on Christmas Eve to discuss with the kids how they have been through the year. He delivers a few early gifts, holds them on his knee, and bids them farewell to head out for his long night of worldwide delivery.

Our Santa sure enjoys this opportunity every year and what a joy the children have as they get to talk to the big man himself during the most festive time of the Season. I think Santa himself enjoys the opportunity, he is almost like a child himself as he prepares for this annual event. Donning the red suit is something he looks forward to each year, bringing such joy to these children whom he loves so much.

Sometimes some of the kids realize who is beneath the suit, but they understand that the little kids need to keep their innocents and so they do not share this insight. The joy of Christmas comes in many forms, I certainly enjoy each one.

Recalling the Christmas Story

With Christmas fast approaching we gathered the children for our tradition of reenacting the Nativity. This year we had some make-shift costumes and the kids were eager to dress up and participate. Molly had already decided long before we arrived that this year she wanted to play the part of Mary. As soon as we arrived she discussed the matter with her Grandma who ensured Molly that this would be her role this year. Needless to say Molly was a very excited little girl.

Eric read from the scriptures and the children played their roles perfectly. What a wonderful scene it was to watch these precious children enjoying the reenactment of the greatest event in all of history.

The live Nativity was a true success and perfectly set the stage for a most wonderful Christmas holiday.

A Great Gathering for Christmas Eve Dinner

Kristy's entire family gathered for a Christmas feast and this was no easy task. In fact her brother Eric's family was actually supposed to be in Utah for the holiday however, fate had other plans. The western states just happened to receive some severe winter weather which resulted in their flights to be rescheduled until after the holiday. Although I know Jodie missed her family back in Utah, it was so great to have everyone gathered together during this most wonderful time of the year.

So our grand feast got underway with all the traditional fixins', as well as some of our nontraditional favorites.

The kids are all growing so fast. They sure enjoyed spending time together, which is in many ways why holidays are so wonderful.

Leonard was looking as well as always, he has recovered most assuredly from his heart troubles back in July of 2005 and the holidays would not be the same without him. It is a true blessing to continue to have him with us to share his wisdom and love, which he certainly has much of both.

Tove sure knows how to feed us well, and we certainly enjoy taking advantage of the opportunity.

The babies in the family are growing faster than ever. It seems like just yesterday back in the holiday season of 1999 when we all gathered for the first time. Kristy was the last of her siblings to be married and so we all gathered together and celebrated as a family. At that time we had no children, it was just a bunch of married adults. A mere seven years later and there is now 8 children among us. Now that is a real Christmas gift if you ask me.





Good food, a great holiday, all spent with the ones we love, the making of wonderful memories indeed.