Wow Shirley, what a great tribe!  Now you made me jealous!!!   
I hope you keep that traditional meeting photo alive with many more to join on it so that you can share here.
I hope you don't mind: I am making a jigsaw puzzle of that photo!

Shirley what a joy to have such a large family, and the special added joy of them all gathering at your home. The photos you have taken will be a treasure for years to come.

I'm up & at-um, fed 4 cats & myself so came to open the computer to check weather & I didn't shut down properly because with a move of the mouse, this page popped up. 

Jack, I can't take credit for them being in my house "all at once"..... with the active great grands their gr-parents thought it would be easier to corral them in the oldest grands play room basement.  They have a mini kitchen (or bar), bedroom & bathroom and that huge room full of toys.  Upstairs is a nicely combined kitchen-family room where we can all sit & eat, so it does help a lot that I don't have to "kid-proof" my house.  Everyone comes to my house one family at a time these last few years.  Has anyone noticed that kids these days don't just come n & sit while parents talk? 

We started gathering at other houses when Cas couldn't stand the activity for more than an hour at most, so he & I could leave as soon as everyone ate & we took photos.  I usually took the main part of the meal since the other women worked and now I take most of the meal with others bringing a side dish of fruit or veggies or snack food. We are really fortunate that all the "in-laws" enjoy being together as much as blood kin and gives the cousins a chance to know each other better. 

Thank you, Bubble, I would love to see how you create a jigsaw puzzle.... on second thought, I don't need another "project" just yet! 

Jackie, we always put the camera on a tripod & Andy (#1 son) is always the one to set it & race to get in the picture.  My 3 kids are, Julie-Ellen (combo of my parents names), she was born in England & the landlady was the one that called her the full name, her middle name is Beth, we wanted to pick her nickname... but it didn't stick.  Andy's name is Caskel Andre' and Pete (youngest) is Ronald Pierre'.  Julie-Ellen was 5 when Andy was born & started calling him "Andy Pandy"... and that stuck.  Pete was named after Cas' brother but with so many European travels, he finds it easier to sign as R.Pierre'.... Pete sounds too informal.  More than anyone wanted to know.

By the time we get around to taking photos I'm usually worn out so after looking at my weary face so many years I think I will hide behind some large glasses next year.  I've monopolized this conversation too long so will shut up about my clan.  For a long time I wouldn't mention their names but all use Facebook so no hiding anymore!

Shirley, what a great family photo.  That is such a good idea of putting names on each one.  It's nice that you all live close enough that you can get together for those special holidays.

Jean, thanks, but we aren't all so close anymore with one family (Jennifer's) in Seattle and Julie-Ellen, her husband & youngest son in St.Louis (her other 2 kids, Joe & family & Elisa, live here. My youngest grand was on a trip to KC & didn't make it back on time. She is the only 
one still in college (here) and missing.

I feel a nap coming on, came in to check mail & always check Friends and the Monarch Pass view cam.  We don't always get their weather but I love seeing their snow!  Sun is shining here but it is bitter cold. A nice cover of snow would protect the plants.

Shirley

What a great family shot. Yo are lucky to have them close., not me. Mine are closest 890 miles and most are 1100. Now have 12 GGC. Thought was finished but just found one more coming in June. Seem to get to be mothers at a older age now.

For those wanting to keep up with the times and also for those into astrology and their "sign."


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Patricia, when we took the paper I would always read the astrology for the day... and was convinced that "they" were wrong about my whole family.... and your Emojis is also wrong.  My Jan 16 birthday makes me Capricorn, I don't get a smiley face & in real life, I am the one always smiling.  Cas was Pisces & he wore a frown when he got up & took something special to make him smile.  Like switching from cable to "over the air TV", I don't miss the paper or all that shouting on TV.  I could not have gotten away with this when Cas was alive.  Still think your Zodiac signs are fun to check out.    

Shirley, my birthday is in late July which would make me a Leo. I have never felt that sounded like me. These are a humorous take on a funny subject that some take very seriously and use one of that signs "attributes" in the emojis.

Well I am a Gemini and this is right for me: crying eyes and smiling mouth!

Won't be long now, Bubble... bet you have lots of plans for the visit.  Do hope you share with photos, please? 

Where is Jack?  Hope all is well with you.

Would love to see some more photos.

Here is my latest "Rogues Gallery" picture. This is our Triple Play card game group. 12 of us play cards once a month. One of the "girls" is missing.

Shirley - The friend from England who is leaving is seated in front. She recently broke her ankle playing golf.

BEVERLY....
...what a fantastic social gathering of friends....you can say, " picture perfect..." 

...that is you, second in the front wearing glasses?...

Quote from: Shirley on January 10, 2017, 12:13:49 PM
Won't be long now, Bubble... bet you have lots of plans for the visit.  Do hope you share with photos, please?

Yes, very soon.  Only problem is that  since yesterday I have a terrible cold and lost my voice!!! Photos with a red nose?

" Photos with a red nose?...." so you will be Santas ( Don's ) red nosed reindeer?

Beverly thanks for checking on me.  All is fine, but has been too cold for walks and photos.  Hope to get to the park today. 

Great photo of your card group and impressed with the outfits you wear.  Looks like a cheerful bunch.

ha ha ha
Vanilla!

Waiting for some sunshine, and doing some chores.  This photo may appear a bit mundane, but I took it today, while working,to display a washer and dryer used regularly and without service calls.  The Washer is Maytag purchased 1978, and the Dryer a Kenmore purchased 1985.   They do not make them like that anymore, they might outlast me.

Jack, the old adage, "they don't make them like they use to" really holds true.  My sister has a Kenmore washer and dryer that are about the age of yours and are working fine.

We bought new appliances when we moved here in 2007, and the salesman told us that the manufacturers build planned obsolescence of about 8 years into each appliance.  We've lucked out so far but two nieces and a couple of friends haven't fared so well.

Mary

Beverly, nice photo of you and your group.

Jack, your washer outdid mine, a Whirlpool that was purchased in 1981 along with a dryer.  Last fall the washer decided to not spin any more so we went to Sears and bought a washer and dryer.  Sears/Kenmore laundry equipment used to be made by Whirlpool which is why we went there, and Whirlpool still makes some of it but what I bought was made by Electrolux.  At the time I moved here in 1981 I was still working and the company sold appliances to employees.  A refrigerator and gas range were included in the purchase of my condo but I wanted an electric range so I let the condo pay for my laundry equipment.  I have replaced the refrigerator twice, disposal twice, water heater once, laundry equipment once.  That's in 35 years so I am not unhappy about any of it.

Mary Ann

Ready to go with my handy book in hand. Israel, here I come

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Have a safe trip,  Don.   Remember all of us to "Bubble".   I know you will have a great visit.

Joy

Happy travels, Don.  We'll all be glad when we know you have landed and the two of you are together.

Mary Ann

Have a great trip Don.......

Most of all, safe trip, Don.... Bubble has a cold to share with you~~

Jack, my dryer is way older than yours, a gas one that we bought when we built the house back in 1967-68.  We had extremely hard water so washers gave up in about 10 years.  I have no desire to give up my old dryer, it dries faster than any of the new ones.  Glad you are okay, been a few days since you posted.

The cold has already hit this afternoon.... from that 62 high this morning it is 38 or 40 (weather guessers can't agree) but feels like below 30 & going nowhere but down.  I did get out & exercise that new expandable hose, bought a 75' so it would reach all the new little trees my sons transplanted for me a month or so ago.  They were volunteer trees & some were tiny twigs that came from joining the Arbor society .... but I insisted on paying each son $200 for the hard work they did that day.... haha, both boys are in good shape but haven't had to do that kind of labor for a long time.  It has been so dry this year that I make a point of watering any of the smaller shrubs or trees at least once a month, with our wind we can dehydrate without a dehydrator, well, slight exaggeration.   

Mary Ann, you have gotten impressive service from your appliances.  Because of our hard water where we lived before, we had to replace the hot water heater & anything that came in contact with water at least every 10 years.  Even the porcelain toilets had to be replaced that often... Cas cracked one apart to show the lime build up looked like tree rings.  We put in a water softener but then comes the problem of disposing of that salt water, couldn't put it in septic tank. 

Beverly, that looks like such a fun group... too bad the lady from England is "going home"...  Does she have kids there or here?  Too bad about the ankle, that can be wicked healing.  The lady next to you looks like Gladys in that photo.... do you remember her?  Wish it wasn't quite such a long drive from "here to there", my brother & wife are heading down for several months & keep asking me to visit.  He can't believe these cats hobble me like they do.  It's my job.  Kind of wish I had a group to hang out with like yours....  sounds like they don't get snippy if someone plays better that the other. 

Jackie have you decided about the dog yet?  Do hope you are as lucky as Jack with finding a perfect match. 

Need to go call Tom, we walked down to the river while ago & he stayed down.  They are not happy with having "company" every day this week...  they hide or just stay outside.  I thought gr-daughter was going back to work tomorrow but she said today.... not until next Tuesday, so a few more days to paint.  When she gets done I'll take a photo to share, right now it is not looking like a masterpiece but fixable. 

I'm hungry!  Y'all take care.

I would only buy Maytag. Washers and Driers along with Electrelux  sweepers. Lasted for years. Did use Kenmore for refrigerators.  Bet now the new ones will not last. Nothing does. Now my bathroom fixture have lasted over 40 years. I heard that green us the colour for 2017 and maybe they will come out with a green toilet I could us one of those.

Shirley, I had extremely hard water where I lived before I moved here in 1981.  I lived there only three years.  The water heater relief valve was "froze" because of the hard water deposit.  There was a humidifier on the furnace that was frozen shut so I had no use from that.  A few years after I moved here, that area got sewers and water.  No one told me about not putting water softener salt in the septic tank but the buyers didn't have to wait long before the township put in the water and sewer.  I haven't had to worry about that here, fortunately.                                           

Mary Ann

I am Aries but don't have that big smile at the moment. Weather getting me down. Make me a Capricorn.
You Bubble have a lot to smile about tomorrow.  Now do you have to go to Airport to pick Don Up.  Is it far.  Is your weather O.K?