Our 2009 Thanksgiving and Christmas
We spent Thanksgiving in Maryland with
Grandmommy, Aunt Wendy, Aunt Leslie Ann and families at Aunt Linda home in
Gaithersberg.
Nearly 20 for dinner and 14 "boarders" at Linda's was a tough crowd to organize
but despite the chaos (including 3 dogs) and family dynamics,
everyone had a great time. Then Rick and I flew back to Calif. for 2 weeks
to host our Kenyan friends (go to
Friends or
Kenyan Friends).
Then we flew back to the East Coast to meet Adrian and spend Christmas in North
Carolina at Diana's.
| 2009 Christmas at Diana's Townhouse in Greenville, NC | ||||
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(Above Far L) O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree in North
Carolina... Our annual Christmas ginger bread house (Above L & C) was of much higher quality--including icicles--this year due to Bryan's architectural vision and frosting skills. Another annual Christmas tradition (Above R) is for "kids-to-wake-parents-in-bed" so we can all head down to the living room (Above Far R) to open our stockings and gape at the myriad presents under the tree. |
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| To
get us all into the holiday spirit, (Above Far L, L & C) Santa gave
us all light-up Rudolf-noses! (Above R) Bryan is so excited to
open gifts gifts on Christmas morning. Diana receives a framed picture (Above Far R) of her playgroup friends. |
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(Above Far L) Adrian gets a funny book. (Above L) Wendy opens
a ruby and diamond bracelet from Rick to celebrate our upcoming 40th anniversary, which rubies symbolize. (Above C) After a few hours of present-opening, we all sit down to breakfast. (Above R) One of our family gifts that occupies Bryan over the next few days is a Christmas puzzle we all work on. (Above Far R) Meanwhile Diana takes advantage of a few minutes of down time to nap with with Koty and Scooter. |
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(Above Far L) The table is set for 12 including friends of Diana's
whom (Above L) we are prepared to greet. (Above C and Far R) Friends arrive to chat about the new baby, Mimi the cat and Koty the dog (Above R) with her Santa outfit and snaggle tooth sticking out. |
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| 2009 Thanksgiving at Aunt Linda's in Gaithersberg, MD | ||||
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(Above Far L) Our Thanksgiving hostess and Chef du Maison, Aunt
Linda supervises the "next generation of mashed potato makers" (Above L and C) Adrian and cousin Charlotte who have taken over for Rick. (Above R) 3 dogs--Koty, Scooter and Chelsea-- wait patiently and hopefully for a piece of turkey to fall on the kitchen floor. (Above Far R) Our most recent family addition, Charlotte's husband CB, toasts Uncle Fernanado, Host and Official Annual Turkey Carver. |
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(Above Far L) Linda leads us in saying grace before our Thanksgiving
dinner. (Above L) The table has traditionally been set only for adults, so we've now allowed CB and Charlotte to join our adult-ranks--and keep Grandmommy entertained. Meanwhile the rest of the adult children (Above C, R and Far R) eat more relaxed in the family room next to the dining room. |
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While waiting for the pile of food to settle in our tummies after
dinner, the family mingles before dessert. (Above Far L) Tori and Aunt Wendy, (Above L) Diana and Uncle Keith, (Above C) Gramdmommy is regaled by Lauren, (Above R) Wendy talks with Bryan and Diana, and (Above Far R), Aunt Leslie hugs part of her family, CB and Charlotte. |
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