Gowey Christmas

Christmas in my family is not just one day. Having been blessed with a large & extended family, Christmas takes place on many different days, often continuing on for weeks. We celebrate with the Penicks, with my immediate family, with the Goweys, the Hearns & the Winstons. I enjoy each gathering & the blessings of having so much wonderful family. Yeasterday was a long day, as we had the Hearn Christmas brunch midday & the Gowey dinner gathering that evening.
The Gowey Christmas was different this year--for the very first time the gathering was not on the 25th. And more impacting, it was our first Christmas without Grandma Donnie.

The Christmas possum that came to visit Uncle Dave (his home is in the tree)





Grandpa & his youngest grandchild,
Amanda Jane.
















Mom's santas lined up on the mantle,
just as Grandma dispayed them every Christmas.















Amanda carrying on the Gowey cousin olive tradition.













































Grandpa celebrating the season. :)

Hearn Christmas

December 27th

Wednesday was my grandparents' 65th wedding anniversary & we all went out to dinner to celebrate. They were married in 1941, in the aftermath of Pearl Harbor, just before my Grandpa shipped out to war.
Congratulations G-maw & G-paw!

Christmas Morning

Alan in a new Heifer cap with a mini weighted blanket.












Note: this green shirt that Boo is wearing is my design :)

Christmas Dinner at the Ponio's

Yes folks, that is indeed the biggest pear you have ever seen.

Merry Christmas to all!
A prayer by David Blanchflower...

Holy Child of Bethlehem,
whose parents found no room in the inn,
we pray for all who are homeless.

Holy Child of Bethlehem,
born in a stable,
we pray for all who are living in poverty.

Holy Child of Bethlehem,
rejected stranger,
we pray for all who are lost, alone, all who cry for loved ones.

Holy Child of Bethlehem,
whom Herod sought to kill,
we pray for all in danger, all who are persecuted.

Holy Child of Bethlehem,
a refugee in Egypt,
we pray for all who are far from home.

Holy Child of Bethlehem,
in you the Eternal was pleased to dwell,
help us, we pray, to see the divine image in people everywhere.

A Glimpse

Some Christmas images from our house...

Christmas in Spokane

We took off Thursday for Christmas in Spokane. There was snow, great food, relaxing time (& much needed craft time for me), we frosted cookies, caught up with old friends, Lois got the complete Farside Collection, & I got to play with my new camera. What more could one ask for? Ok, so we did miss Elyse a little bit, but don't feel sorry for her, as she is playing on a warm, sunny beach.
We came back to town today & attended the Keystone Christmas Eve service with my mom. We're soon to head out to Issaquah United Methodist for their midnight Christmas Eve service.

Lois & her Farside Collection.

Our friends Nick & Lyndsey & their little baby girl, Maggie.

Jolly

It just wouldn't be the holidays without a trip to the Jolly Roger & a night spent drinking their holiday brew. We had a great group of friends & family drop by & good times were had by all.

Carly propositioning Eric.

Boo having a little too much fun with Carly's hat.

True dat.

Hoodlums

Our good friend Steve is getting hitched in March & we all had input on rings.

Here's the soon-to-be-groom & Levi.

Our camera freaked out a little on this photo, but you can't go wrong with subjects like these.