A Festive Christmas Gathering

There's no place like home for the holidays.   For several years now, Brother Joe and his wife, Judy, have opened their home to Joe's side of the family for a Christmas gathering.  They go all out to see that everything is just perfect and that everyone has a good time.  This year was no exception.  This year we took the camper up to our favorite park and spent the weekend.  We arrived on Friday in time to help them with a few last minute chores.  Then Friday evening we went back to the camper for a quiet evening and a bowl of chili while they went to choir practice.

I wanted a little tree with lights for the camper, but they were all gone by the time I decided that I wanted one.  I found this little one at the Dollar Store and was actually pleased with how it turned out.  I had planned to put out our sign with garland on it and hang our new Christmas lights from the awning, but the weather discouraged all attempts to be festive.  When we arrived it was so cold and windy.  We did what we had to do outside and then were happy to get inside to the warmth of the trailer.  It was so windy that we had to put boards on our outside rug so that it would not blow away.

This was our view out the window we awoke on Saturday morning.  Can you see the squirrel on the tree?

Two big tables were set and ready.

Judy spent three days making candy and cookies for her guests.  

Bubba's sister, Azalea, and her husband, Marshall, were among the first to hit the table full of Christmas goodies.  They have a camping trailer that they haven't used for years.  We're trying to get them to get it in working order so they can join us on some of our outings.

As family begins to arrive, the presents begin to pile up on the Dirty Santa table.  This always proves to be a lot of fun.

Joe tends the smokers which are filled with chicken and ribs.  

Finally the food is ready and everyone
gets in line, eager to partake of the delicious meal of Smoked Ribs & Chicken, Baked Potatoes, Baked Sweet Potatoes, Baked Beans, Salad, Deviled Eggs, and Rolls.

What is so nice when this family gathers is that we just take up where we left off.  Some we haven't seen in such a long time, but that doesn't matter we're still family.  Jody and Melissa brought Melissa's parents from Canada with them this year.  They were such pleasant people.  Now we know where Melissa gets that from.  Bill and Jean were a welcome 

addition to our group.

For dessert there was Coconut Cake, Fruit Cake, Carrot Cake, Cinnamon Pound Cake, and Pecan Pie.  

After the children opened their presents, it was time for the adults to play Dirty Santa.  Our niece Leigh got Paula Deen Frying Pans which she got very excited about and wanted to keep.  She kept them hidden most of the time so no one would steal them from her.

Nephew Andy looks pleased with his box of "tupperware".  Don't worry Andy, I want that "tupperware".  I got it too!

Bubba got a charcoal chimney which is something he wanted.  It was a fun game with some pretty good items.

After Dirty Santy everyone began to gather up their things to leave.  We went back to the trailer for a little rest and then returned that evening to eat with Joe and his family that was still there.

The next day we got up and went to church with them and enjoyed their church choir's cantata very much.  Sunday afternoon was spent visiting.  Rest assured that more eating was involved.

The family owes Joe and Judy a big thank you for their hosting this gathering.  It takes a lot of time and preparation to put something like this together.  It's important to come together as a family when you have the opportunity.  This year we missed Azalea's girls and their families and Amy, Darryl, and Amelia who couldn't make it this time.

I started off by quoting the line from the Christmas song, "There's no place like home for the holidays."  To me, home is wherever family is.  This time home happened to be Joe and Judy's.  Thank you both so much for your love and hospitality!