Ever since I moved to California in 2005, Christmas has become an especially important holiday to me. It is the only time of year that my entire family (on my mom's side) is able to be together. We used to all live within an hour of each other in Southeastern Pennsylvania. My brother and I grew up spending a lot of time with my cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents. But as time has passed, we have been scattered to Ohio, Massachusetts, California, and Virginia. I really hope as my cousins and I grow older and start to take over the planning of family gatherings that we would be as dedicated to staying close-knit as my mom and her siblings (shown above) were.
Christmas morning at my parent's house...
My brother got them a sweet flat-screen TV so they wouldn't have to watch baseball on the teeny TV they had before. Apparently, it was hard to even see the ball.
Unwrapping gifts by the fireside, just as we have since we moved to that house in 1992. A snowman looks on from outside.
My Dad looks like an old-timey ship captain with that beard.
Family gathers for the evening at my Aunt Eloise and Uncle Andy's house...
Intense game of Scrabble after dinner.
Me showing evidence of being ambushed by snowballs. Francis lured me outside by claiming he felt sick to his stomach. When I went outside to check on him, my brother, my cousin, and my husband pelted me with snowballs! They only landed two before I made it back inside.
Gifts! We always start unwrapping from youngest to oldest. Here my cousin's daughter Sophie unwraps her presents on the same floor where me and my cousins were spoiled rotten for years.
Cousin Daniel opening my lame gift that I ordered too late and had to send to his house in Ohio. A paper cut-out of a shirt represented what was coming in the mail.
Aunt Nancy and my cousin's 6 month old son Noah. This was the first time we met him. I love the name they chose. Genesis 6:9 "This is the account of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God." What a legacy!
Asian-Caucasian babies are the cutest!
My cousin Doug received a box of logs for a fireplace. Except he doesn't have a fireplace at his house. Stupid gift, but at least it made us laugh.
Eric and Francis go head to head in chess.
We spent New Year's Eve with my parents and a few other family members. The 2010 glasses I bought in New York City were a big hit.
What is that crazy woman doing? you might ask. And rightfully so, for she does appear crazy. In fact, she is twirling an old wooden noisemaker that used to be used as an air-raid siren back during WWII. It is hellishly loud. Perfect for disturbing a peaceful and quiet neighborhood who are just way too lame for the Turner family!
If you hang around the Hartley family for too long, eventually my mom is going to teach you how to ski. It has happened to all my cousins and countless childhood friends of ours. Now, it was Francis's turn. Either Francis is extremely adept at learning new sports or my mom is an excellent coach or both, but he picked it up very quickly. By the end of the day, he was taking on regular slopes!
This happened rarely. But I couldn't help but catch him while he was down. Hehe. Do you like the bright yellow snow pants? Poor guy had to borrow them from my family. What a stud.
My cousin Trevor joined us as well. I spent most of the day taking on black diamonds with him while my mom worked the bunny slope with Francis.
And now, the moment you've all been waiting for...video of Francis skiing! The sound he is making is a reference to the Pixar movie Cars.
While Francis and I were staying in PA, I decided to expose him to some local culture. So we hit up the All-You-Can-Eat-Wings-And-Karaoke night at a country biker bar nearby. I also called Becky, my old friend from Friday's, to join us. We hadn't seen each other in nearly five years. My cousin Trevor also came. I can't believe he's old enough to drink beer with me now!
Ever since I moved to California in 2005, Christmas has become an especially important holiday to me. It is the only time of year that my entire family (on my mom's side) is able to be together. We used to all live within an hour of each other in Southeastern Pennsylvania. My brother and I grew up spending a lot of time with my cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents. But as time has passed, we have been scattered to Ohio, Massachusetts, California, and Virginia. I really hope as my cousins and I grow older and start to take over the planning of family gatherings that we would be as dedicated to staying close-knit as my mom and her siblings (shown above) were.
My brother got them a sweet flat-screen TV so they wouldn't have to watch baseball on the teeny TV they had before. Apparently, it was hard to even see the ball.
Unwrapping gifts by the fireside, just as we have since we moved to that house in 1992. A snowman looks on from outside.
My Dad looks like an old-timey ship captain with that beard.
Intense game of Scrabble after dinner.
Me showing evidence of being ambushed by snowballs. Francis lured me outside by claiming he felt sick to his stomach. When I went outside to check on him, my brother, my cousin, and my husband pelted me with snowballs! They only landed two before I made it back inside.
Gifts! We always start unwrapping from youngest to oldest. Here my cousin's daughter Sophie unwraps her presents on the same floor where me and my cousins were spoiled rotten for years.
Cousin Daniel opening my lame gift that I ordered too late and had to send to his house in Ohio. A paper cut-out of a shirt represented what was coming in the mail.
Aunt Nancy and my cousin's 6 month old son Noah. This was the first time we met him. I love the name they chose. Genesis 6:9 "This is the account of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God." What a legacy!
Asian-Caucasian babies are the cutest!
My cousin Doug received a box of logs for a fireplace. Except he doesn't have a fireplace at his house. Stupid gift, but at least it made us laugh.
Eric and Francis go head to head in chess.
As usual, Jen hid snippets of Scripture (from the Psalms) in her cake so we would discover them like buried treasure as we ate. And of course, we sang the Happy Birthday song to Jesus, our king. He is the reason we celebrate Christmas!
Mary's Song
Winter Sunset
The Star
The Nativity
The Lamb
The Holy Family
The Annuciation (after Dore)
Pine Smell
NY Christmas
No Vacancy
Immanuel
Darkness Fell
Christmas Tree
Christmas Puppy
In Rememberance of Me
