I am finding that I must retrain myself to take photos more often. It even seems to be a chore to remember to carry the camera out the door. I will have to get back in the swing!!
The biggest event that we have had since the last full blog, was Christmas in Port Charlotte at Audrey's niece's and I will have to post those pictures for family to catch up on. It was fun!!
Richard, I thought you would like to see the architecture and contours. I especially loved the flowers and trees, - and the pool, though did not get to use it. The water was too cold.
The first family gathering was for little Aiden's birthday. He loves John Deere, can't you tell?
 |
| Mommy and Daddy, Amanda and Michael prepare food. Yum! |
 |
| Sister, Ilana and cousin, Lydia watch the candle lighting. |
 |
| Seven cousins gather to eat and share cupcakes. Opps, where's Eyob? |
 |
| Eyob at next table in booster seat with Daddy and Aunt Becky helping. |
Two months before Aiden and Ilana were children in a family of four. They now number six with their two new brothers from Ethiopia. It was amazing how they have adapted to their new family, the family practices as well as the English language!! They sure fit right in!!
 |
| Audrey, Tina, Jessica & Matthew, Pearl |
After a day shopping, feeding a family of seventeen, and cleaning up, we always found time to sit down for a few games of Five Crowns. It was always fun and relaxing! Gary vegged out in front of the TV, by himself this time.
The day before Christmas, Tina was rushing to finish wrapping gifts in the garage while Pearl and Audrey helped her by tying fleece throws for the little ones. The requirements for the family and children exchanges this Christmas was that no gift was to cost more than $5 and they were to be something homemade. So check-out the pictures of Christmas Day, down below.
On to the church's area wide Christmas Eve Program in the Park! Can't wait for darkness for the fun to begin!
Let the fun and the Story of the True Meaning of Christmas begin - -
 |
| Michael on the bongo drums. |
 |
| Kaelyn and Lydia singing with their adult friend. |
 |
| Mikias and Uncle Matthew checking out the play ground. |
It looks like Mikias got a hold of Aunt Jessica's scarf.
It was a very meaningful program and all went home tired but content, ready to sleep and wait for Santa.
The families all chose to return to have Christmas at Grandma Tina's, as they were sure she had more room. And Grandma loved it!! It is so difficult for Audrey to realize that Tina is a grandma, and especially to so many, since she stayed with Tina as a tot when her sister was born. Many years ago, though it seems like yesterday!!
 |
| Grandma with the girls! |
 |
| Grandma, Jeff and Becky, Amanda looking on. |
 |
| Uncle Matthew and Aunt Jessica, gathering ideas for their baby to arrive soon. |
 |
| Topographical map play ground! |
 |
| Kaelyn and her artist pouch! Awesome, says the artist! |
 |
| Eyob's monkey puppet! |
 |
| Daddy plays with the race track! |
 |
| Oh, so warm!! |
 |
| Grandma, is this puppet story time? |
 |
| Aunt Jessica, thank you for this baking idea! |
 |
| Grandma's turn!! |
AWESOME GIFTS don't you think? We all thought so and the kids will have many hours of fun!!
Now it is time for turkey dinner!! Great that grandma has plenty of space in her kitchen as it sure was the gathering place every time.
 |
| Jeff carving! |
 |
| Adults sampling?? |
As bedtime came on, all was cleared away and we had time for Five Crowns again. It was a Christmas that Gary and Audrey will not forget!! Next will be New Years Eve together. Had the great ringing in of the new year at 8 pm and the youngsters did not know the difference. They were ready for sleep (almost) and we were all ready for them to call it a day.
We are looking forward to this in 2013 in Ohio. Get ready!!
