MID WINTER CHRISTMAS

MERRY MID WINTER CHRISTMAS....  I do believe it's gunna be a lovely day.

I'm looking forward to having a nice afternoon with MOST of our kids and grandkids.

Because we are doing platters, food preparations will only take about an hour, if that.  Excellent!

Platters are such a good idea, don't ya think?

Zack and I spent about an hour yesterday putting just a few Christmas decorations in the house.  NO big Christmas Tree ... just a baby one.

ABOVE:  See?  Just a baby tree.  I may have to invest in a slightly bigger 'small' tree at some point.

I'm a bit sad that some of the kids/grandkids won't be here, but it can't be helped.  As it is we will have about 17 for lunch.  A nice number.

Now... time to get up, tidy the house, and prepare the platters a bit later on in the morning.

Not really too much to do.

ONWARD...

***  up and ready for the day! ***

Stew has just gone down to the supermarket for fresh breads and a couple more things.  I'm starting to get out everything we need for the platters.

OMGoodness... the day is going SO WELL!!! I will do a photo full update once everyone has left. For now.. we are still having fun yakking, laughing and just having a nice family time it actually FEELS like Christmas!

PHOTOS OF OUR WONDERFUL DAY:

ABOVE:  Everyone who was here today.  Stew and I were really happy that so many arrived.

And of course, we  had our 'extra' kid ... young Zack too.

ABOVE:  The platters ... OMG they are just the best way to feed a large group of people.  We didn't have much food left by the end of the afternoon.

ABOVE:  The 'dessert' platters came out after the presents.  I think everyone was happy with their presents.

I must show you what I got Stew ... tomorrow. 

ABOVE:  The girls.  So neat to have them all here.

ABOVE:  Our grandson Joel is EXACTLY the same height as his Granddad!  There's a tuft of hair on his head sticking up.... don't be fooled.  He is 6'2", just like Stew.  

It will be interesting to see if Griffin is shorter or taller, when he comes home to visit next time.

ABOVE:  Interestingly, we congregated in the family room, then drifted into the sun room.  Some teenagers stayed and hung out in the family room... this house is just so lovely for gatherings.

It was neat in the sun room, as we could then keep an eye on the kids out on the lawn.

ABOVE:  Joel sat beside me... and did this! Seriously... what a HUGE friggin foot!

ABOVE: 9/13 GRANDCHILDREN.  (top left to right, then bottom left to right)  : Dante, Archer, Joel, Huston.   Liam, Rena, Brylee,  Keera and Emily. 

ABOVE:  We are so happy with our 'little' lawn.  It's actually perfect for the kids to play on.

Today could not have gone any better.  So, so happy.

And we have already 'booked' in the date for our next get together!

More on that ... another day.

8.30 pm:  falling asleep in me chair again!  So going to bed soon.