All the Smiths Down in Smithville, the Tall and the Small....
Yesterday we spent a wonderful afternoon and evening at my brother Curt and sister-in-law Wendy's home in Ajax, Ontario. Many of my family members were there and we had a grand time telling tales about the old days and roasting the odd family member over things they had done in the past.
My nephews and neice enjoyed the day playing ping-pong, computer games, drawing (home-made cards from Trevor and Tyler that were just beautiful!!) and catching up with their cousins.
My Dad, always one for making sure everything is recorded on film, had many different groups of people stand together for family photos and we all put on our best faces.
Even Lucky, the bulldog, posed for the camera (she was totally pooped out here after a long day of partying and far too many treats. I think she wanted to head for her comfy bed but was too afraid of missing out on something so stuck with us all til the end).
My Sister-in-law Wendy once again bought the tallest tree on the lot.
This year's towered 13 feet high into the cathedral ceiling of their family room and was absolutely stunning.
Her Christmas village lay in wait on the mantel for the tiny elfin people that come out at night, after all the big people are gone to bed.
We had a giant 'who' feast complete with roast beast, meat balls, salmon, shrimp, potato salad, green salad, lasagna, cheese, crackers, rice and assorted cakes. The little ones all loved the chocolate cake the most.
After everyone was stuffed above the ear lobes and all of the presents had been opened, my two musical brothers, Curt and Clay, broke out into song.
Curt played the guitar and harmonica and we all sang along. A few of our favourites ( we sing at every family get-together) that we all joined in on were:
Dear Abby (an old John Prine tune)
Christmas in Prison (another John Prine favourite)
Long Black Veil (one of my favourites)
He Stopped Loving Her Today (not a dry eye in the house whenever we sing this old George Jones tear-jerker)
The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald (Gordon Lightfoot is a favourite amongst all of my family)
Farewell to Nova Scotia (we love those old Irish kinds of songs...I guess they play to our Irish roots)
The Unicorn Song (for the little ones, who all love to sing along and do the body motions that go with the song)
and many more...
As the evening wore on, sleepy eyes and yawns started to appear on the odd person's face now and then, so we decided it was time to don our warm coats, pack up the presents and kids, give hugs all around and load into our vehicles for the hour long trek home.
It was a wonderful day and will live in my memory for many years to come. If only every day was like the special days we spend with family and friends during the holiday season.
©2009JoSmith
Premier Florida Realty of SWFL - Fort Myers, FL
Southwest Florida Homes By The Sea
Jo: its fun to have these family get together..though you would make a lot of people mad considering the amount of food you guys woolf down and manage to stay slim! Lucky was funny and very heroic lol Dec 21, 2009 01:31 PM
Liberty Homes - Mililani, HI
(RA) AHWD CRS ePRO OAHU HAWAII REAL ESTATE
I would have loved to be right there listening to song and stories by Jo :) Dec 21, 2009 03:00 PM
Preferred Home Brokers - Brea, CA
Broker Associate ,CRS,GRI,SRES, Brea,CA, Orange Co
Hi Jo, Oh my, sounds like you had such a great time,...not doubt the memories will live on for all. Merry Christmas to you and yours! Dec 21, 2009 03:26 PM
Designs by Trace - Kelowna, BC
Hi Jo, Sounds like a wonderful day/evening! Have a very Merry Christmas!! Dec 21, 2009 07:45 PM
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher
Jo, It looks like you had a wonderful time! The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald was the only song I knew....I hope you have the very BEST of holidays filled with love, health and blessings! Dec 21, 2009 11:28 PM
Oakville, ON
Lloyd, LOL...there was tons of leftovers...we brought home a giant doggy bag and we don't even have a dog. Merry Christmas to you and yours! Jo Dec 22, 2009 01:41 AM
Oakville, ON
Aww, Sally, you're a sweetheart. Jo Dec 22, 2009 01:42 AM
Oakville, ON
hi Lynda, I think family get-togethers are the best part of Christmas. Your little Grandchildren must be so excited.... Jo Dec 22, 2009 01:43 AM
Oakville, ON
Hi Trace, Thank you! I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas too and keep warm.... Jo Dec 22, 2009 01:44 AM
Oakville, ON
Carole, We sang lots of other songs too that I know you would have sung along to....like 'On the Cover of the Rolling Stone' ((-; Jo Dec 22, 2009 01:45 AM
Uxbridge, ON
Trusted For Experience - Respected For Results
Jo - reminiscing about yesterdays is something we tend to do more of as we age ... some of our young people today go through life so fast I wonder if they will have such pleasant memories to enjoy later on in life Dec 22, 2009 02:27 AM
Oakville, ON
Hi Kathy, Yes, it's very sad.....I think a large part of that is to do with the way people live today. Lots of single parent families or families where both parents work and no one really has time to connect with eachother anymore. In many ways it may be better, however I believe a lot more was lost over the years than gained. Jo Dec 22, 2009 05:40 AM
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