Ohio Christmas 2021

 

This is our crew!!!  Not sure where my dad is looking, but here are all of his grandchildren. . .18, 23, 17, 19, 21, and 20 (almost 21)

So thankful for the two in the back left that made us a family and Virginia (on the right) who joined our family as Dad's wife.

A few of the TN Bells came up early on Friday and Mom took us to lunch where she was finally able to buy Marie her first "bar" drink :)

Later that evening we travelled from Cincinnati to Dayton to see some dear Bell family friends.  

Tom is missing from this picture, but these families have known one another for over 50 years.  The girls and Tom all grew up together and the adults are closer than many blood relatives are.  It was so good to get together this time of the year!!  Now that the Bells live in TN (and we have a UT and AZ person pictured there) this is a special, rare photo to have :)

There are the four "kids" together with Leo!  

Anyway, tradition is that we spend Christmas Eve with my sister and her family, sometimes some friends and extended family, my mom, dad, his wife, and sometimes the Bells too.  This was the first year of "new" traditions since the entire Bell family now lives in East TN.  We chose the Saturday before Christmas to do our usual gathering in Cincinnati and it was perfect.

Dinner is always fabulous, but for some reason, I completely forgot to take a single picture of the buffet. 

We had apps and such out and Uncle Brian provided these for a few of us:

And another tradition that stayed in place were the two oldest granddaughters making onion rings for the meal:

I'm not sure if the meat BVJ prepares or these are the favorite -- it really is a toss-up :)  We added "Grandma's Potatoes" and roasted Brussel sprouts to round out the meal.  So, so good.

Grandpa said prayers and we all dug in - 

My brother wasn't there but the Bell family gift happened to arrive to their home while we were all together and we got this picture from them:

They are Bucs fans heading to CO for Christmas so thought they could take some spirit with them :)

Beautiful tree. . .

And a doggie that was NOT supposed to be on the chair (but doesn't she look like she belongs among the Christmas decor?)

Gifts are always a part of the night (of course).  We all exchange with the kids, mostly.  I like to put gift boxes together for my nieces -- this year they each got a book, some jewelry, and some things that were on their list(s).  I love shopping for gifts, so this is the fun part for me.  We got the grandparents University of Tennessee stuff (because three of their grandchildren will be attending that school next year) and Virginia a blanket and Tom also got my mom a new home phone (complete with installation ;) )

And then there are the "combination" pictures -- no one likes this part but I cherish these :)

My mom's gift to the boys were tickets to the Tennessee Titan's game against San Francisco.  Frederick knew about it (it was his idea -- he's my best gift-giver idea guy) but Thomas did not.  They opened a printout of the tickets with a Titan's beanie.

The scene of a much-enjoyed gift exchange:

A few card games, the hot tub for some (MILD December weather for sure!), maybe a movie. . .just the joy of being relaxed together -- knowing you are loved and accepted for who you are and who you are growing into. . .

And for some, just laying around for a quick refresh is what is called for!

Where will these six be on Christmas Eve next year?  Who is to say?  They will all be high school graduates, two of them college graduates, three of them at the University of Tennessee and one at Liberty University.  But you know how it is with plans. . .we make them and then God surprises us with His plan.  At least that is how the story is told in Casting Crown's song "Dream for You".  One of my favorites.

Merry, merry Christmas to all far and wide.  May the end of this year bring joyous reflections along with those things learned along the way.  Prayers for all of you as you embrace this next season -- hopefully not alone but with the assured knowledge of the love that was sent from Heaven to Bethlehem to give us life and hope through Jesus Christ over 2000 years ago.

Love,

Jenni