After a good breakfast here we headed over to mom's condo joining Bill, Bethany, Joshua, William, Daisy, mom, Joan, Nancy, Faith, Mackenson, and Berlica for church but before church started Rachel and David with their dog Lily surprised us by walking in and also stayed for Christmas service which was watched via Facebook. It was a cold morning but by the time church was over the sun was shining brightly and it has warmed up into the 50s. Warm enough that Ruth and I spent about an hour down by the pool. Some of us went for a walk and some of us were taking a nap before we needed to start cooking the Christmas rib roast. We all went to Beth's condo for the Christmas party meeting there at 5:00 pm for a wonderful meal the reading of the Christmas story then the giving and taking of gifts. Below is just one plate of our meal which started with an appetizer of chilled shrimp with cocktail sauce then was followed with prime rib, sauteed onions, buttered mushrooms, wild rice, mashed potatoes, salad with all the fixins, rolls with butter, green beans and SO many different desserts.
Below are just a few of the desserts, it doesn't even show the pie table.
We were separated into 2 different rooms in order to make a place at a table for everyone. Pictured below are the younger kids. Us old folks had the big table in the other room.
This morning mom was asking Nancy if they should read the Christmas story and Nancy replied, "that's ok I will wait for Spark to read it." Well Spark and Rhonda couldn't make it down for Christmas so Joan called and asked if he could read the story via FaceTime. We sang Christmas carols while waiting for Joan to get it set up.
Spark always needs a little help from the younger ones as he sometimes mixes up the story.
After he finished we all (both households) sang together then said good by and started on the gift game. We handed out numbers and the person that picked number one chose a gift which was a lighted magnifying glass and fish bait. The number 2 person decided to steal his gift of that so number 1 got to pick another. This went on until all of us had a gift. There was so much laughter while the stealing of gifts was happening. Steven ended up with hair bows which he was able to trade quickly. We were all happy at the end and Nancy LOVED her gift of a horse throw.
It was a wonderful day and way to celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus. There is so much to be thankful for and spending time with family is considered one of the best gifts of all. Speaking of family. This year David and Stephanie's family along with Nolan and Sarah's family went to Florida as they wanted warmer weather than Gulf Shores has this time of year. Sarah and Nolan took a side trip to Busch Gardens in Tampa Bay and posted the pictures below.
Taunya's family, Anna's family and Rhoda's family got together for a birthday party for Jesus. To see the grandchildren singing to Jesus click
HERE. Rhoda and Taunya's family couldn't go to either place as both of those families have new puppies to take care of and Phil and Anna's family are taking care of our Emma and the horses. This has been a very nice relaxing break for Mark and I and the first time we have been gone longer than a week. We LIKE it! A very nice update came in from the lady who bought Tatiana's filly named Rosie. She writes: H
i judy,
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