This year our annual family Christmas get together was from Dec. 26th to the 30th. Marc, Renee, Sara, Leah & Jeremy were the first to arrive on Sunday the 26th. A few hours later the Chatham gang. Michael, Season, Alanna, Braden & Zachary. The next day the Hamilton gang. Kevin, Amy, Micah, Rachel and Danielle. Doug, Teresa, Brenda, Kelly-Lyn and Erin live in Brighton, so they went home to sleep. This year we made room for 15 sleepovers. Great fun.
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| Jeremy pulling the cutest face for the camera |
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| As the family arrived, everyone wanted to try out our new Accuciser. Zach had the first turn. Lots of fun for the kids. They just stand on it and the machine vibrates. |
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| Renee was eager to try also. The belt can be used for the back or shoulders for a message. |
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| It didn't take long for Braden to entertain Leah with his new toy. |
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Sara, Leah, Alanna, Jeremy Zachary and Michael the next morning.
This is the one day we would all spend together. Teresa, Doug, Brenda, Kelly-Lynn and Erin also joined us for the day. And of course Doug offered to do the cooking. |
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| Alanna vacuuming before the new furniture arrives. This was a good day to move all the furniture around since all the strong men were around. The old furniture will eventually make it to Chatham. |
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A little prayer before breakfast.
Season & Michael were on duty this morning and they made pancakes and sausages. |
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Brade is still waiting for the breakfast he prayed for 10 minutes ago.
Not sure if there is a time limit on a breakfast prayer! |
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| Leah trying to cut her sausages with a big knife and fork. |
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| Just chilling before the festivities begin. |
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| Zach singing along with a tape in his spider man costume. |
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| Enjoying fruit and veggie trays |
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| AND caramel popcorn |
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| Braden just loves his little cousin |
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| Braden was really looking forward to getting a ride on the ATV. |
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| Sara's turn with uncle Michael |
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| Michael & Leah. All the kids and adults got a ride with Michael. |
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| Kelly-Lynn wanted to try driving the ATV by herself. |
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| Teresa and Marcel keeping an eye on Kelly-Lynn on the ATV |
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| Season & Zach tobogganing down the driveway. For the whole time the families were down, we were able to enjoy the outdoors. The day after the last family went home, all the snow melted. Can't imagine spending this time of year with the family without snow. It's become a tradition. Like the Sandbanks in the summer. |
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| Everyone made it outside at one time or another for tobogganing and a ride on the ATV. The weather was not quite as cold as the previous day. I figure when they're outside burning gas in the ATV, they're not inside eating food. Gas is cheaper than food. Oh, wait. They're all building up appetites outside. |
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| Brenda reading Robert Munch books to Micah. Brenda is so good with all the little ones. She's always entertaining them in one way or another. |
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Shortly after lunch Arlene (my niece and professional photographer) arrived to take some family shots.
Quite the challenge with so many little people.
Here the kids are waiting to see where they have to stand. |
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Considering there were 22 of us, the picture turned out great. Arlene is great getting the kids (and adults) to smile.
I plan to have this one and one of each family on the family room wall. |
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The Chatham family.
Michael, Season, Alanna, Braden & Zachary.
It was wonderful to have them with us this year. Last year Season was in the hospital at this time |
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The Sarnia family. Marc, Renee, Sara, Leah & Jeremy.
They only stayed one full day with us. Renee's family was doing their Christmas get together also. We missed them. Especially with all the fun we had outdoors the day they left. |
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The Hamilton family. Kevin, Amy, Micah, Rachel & Danielle.
Arlene had each family snuggle together. It made for some pretty cute pictures. |
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The Brighton family. Doug, Teresa, Brenda, Kelly-Lynn & Erin.
Another cute snuggle picture.
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| The cutest snuggle picture of them all!! |
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| Rachel and Kelly-Lynn wanted a picture with grandma and grandpa. |
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After the family pictures were done, we decided to do some fun shots.
This picture was take 20 years ago. We decided to try this again!
We haven't changed much. I recognized myself right away.
Arlene also took this picture. |
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| Getting ready for the picture. I'm on the bottom, totally at the mercy of my family. |
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| Almost the same order. Didn't check the old picture till later. |
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| Arlene is showing them the picture that was taken 15 yrs. ago. A gift for our 25th from our kids. |
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Duplicated perfectly except for the silk shirts they all had on.
The picture was also taken by Arlene in St. James Gardens in Toronto where we had our wedding pictures taken.
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| Cousins: Teresa & Arlene |
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| A picture with (Arlene's dtr.) Arianna. |
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Thank you so much again Arlene. All the shots are great. Can't wait to display them on the
family room wall. |
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| Jeremy took his first steps at our house. We were all pretty excited to be part of that. |
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| And proud he is. Such a ham. |
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| And so was his mom. |
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Next big event was the dinner. Three tables lined up for 22 people.
Danielle claimed her spot pretty fast.
Teresa peaking to see the huge row of tables. |
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| That's one way to get the kids to the table. |
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It took awhile before everyone was seated.
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Kevin trying to get every one's attention for devotions before we dig in the turkey, spiral ham and roast.
All prepared by our great chef. |
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During supper, my camera broke again. The second time the mother board went poof. So, I switched back to my old camera. No more warranty. So!! A new camera??
Waiting eagerly for their Christmas present. All the kids picked names amongst themselves. We've done this a number of years already. One gift for each kid. Works great. |
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Michael was in charge of handing out the gifts.
The kids were pretty excited about the gifts they gave, as well as received.
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Danielle was thrilled with her gift.
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| Grandpa got spoiled with a bag of droppies and Wilhelmina peppermints. |
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Watching Leah open her gift.
Notice Micah's pants falling off! He put all his cars in his pockets and the weight of them is pulling his pants down.
Pretty funny. |
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| Rachel is so excited with her new pet shop critters. |
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A beautiful ceramic plate made by Alanna. I'll treasure it always sweetie.
It has a special spot on the shelving unit. |
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| All the big kids got an itsy bitsy teeny weeny gift from us. |
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Eagerly opening it to see what's inside.
And we won't tell. |
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| Jeremy checking out this big box. He's more interested in the box than the gift. |
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| Micah and Zach |
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| Sara and Braden still enjoying his electronic toy. |
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| So many new toys to play with. |
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| Giggle puss Rachel |
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Sara is passing out the baskets our gems made as a fundraiser. Each family could choose one.
Her family rec'd the craft basket. |
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| Amy enjoying time with Jeremy |
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| Sara and Alanna playing Mancala. A favorite game for all. |
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| Ready for bed, but still playing. |
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The next morning, Marc, Renee and kiddies left early to attend the Brink Christmas party at Redeemer University.
The two families that were left spent the whole day outside on the ATV and tobagganing. |
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| Danielle |
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| Braden also joining the kids outside. |
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| Michael gives everyone a ride. Young and old. |
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Micah loves the bulldozers and backhoes
A little hard with big mittens on. |
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One mitten comes off for a minute so he can use the bulldozer.
Then puts it back on, and then off again. Very cute. |
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| The kids has sooo much fun. We all said that it was too bad that Marc couldn't join his brothers with the fun. |
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| Kelly-Lynn and Alanna |
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| Danielle was cold and came inside for an ice cream to warm up |
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| Nap time. |
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Even when it started to get dark, they were still going and going.
Danielle getting squished between her mom and dad. |
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The big kids were still playing well after dark. I had to lighten this picture in order to see who it is.
Very cute hat and gloves Michael |
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Marcel is so cute when he buys a new toy. He just gives it to me!
Look at the smirk on his face. |
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Michael, Season and family went home on the 29th. That left the Hamilton family.
We spent some of the day playing Catan and Cities and Knights.
For supper we went to McDonald's. The kids had never been in the play land.
They call it" Old MacDonald's"
After a fun time, we decided to stroll through the Christmas light display in Trenton, and then pop in at Herman's. This picture was taken by Amy. |
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The last morning with us, I gave the kids a cookie before breakfast.
They didn't mind at all. |
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| A walk into our back 40 for some more pictures. Their boots were already packed, so shoes got pretty muddy. |
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Checked out the logging being done here.
When we got back home, they left to go home to Hamilton.
What a great time we had with everyone. |
