I thought I'd better get a post up before calls started coming in asking where we were and what was wrong. It's been busy around here since the holidays, and we've been getting back into the swing of things since our company left. We've decorated for Christmas, and everything looks ready for everyone to return again--which they will do in 3 1/2 weeks! Yikes!
Here are some pictures of our time together over the weekend. 
We enjoyed Micah and Elizabeth spending time with us and appreciated them being around for Thanksgiving this year.
Granny (Deb's mom), Aunt Bunny (from Richmond), and Aunt Bet (from SC) with Barney were also part of the festivities.
We spent some time posing for some family pictures by an old barn on the property next door. We hope at least one of them will turn out good enough for our family picture for our Christmas cards this year. Do you know how hard it is to get 7 people perfect and not one of them blinking??!
Friday evening (our tradition) we decorated the tree together (although at this point Elizabeth had left to spend some time with her family in Georgia while Micah stayed behind to get some studying done). 
And, of course, the annual Trim-the-Tree Party was in full swing with the traditional orange danish rolls, hot apple cider, and hot chocolate. It was a very fun time! And I'm looking forward to more of the same in a little less than a month.
~Deb
Well, I was going to email you today if there wasn't a post! I was thinking maybe others got sick...glad to hear you have just been busy with family and decorating! We are decorating this Sunday after Jay and John return from their elk hunting trip. All the photos of your family are beautiful! Looks like you had a wonderful time together. Can't wait to see you on Monday! :-)
Posted by: Dorothy | Tuesday, November 28, 2006 at 01:00 PM
Oh Deb, what a wonderful family you have! I really enjoyed seeing all of the family "get together" pictures as well as sharing your family traditions through pictures. Families are such a blessing, aren't they?
Posted by: Susan P. | Tuesday, November 28, 2006 at 01:10 PM
Thanks for sharing your family celebrations and traditions with us Deb!
Now...if I could only share those rolls!! :) They look delicious!
Posted by: Islandsparrow | Tuesday, November 28, 2006 at 01:38 PM
Nice pictures!!
The one of you looks like Mrs.Claus!!
We put outside lights up and I have to clean the family room to fit the tree.This will be the first time putting decorations up in this house.
Posted by: Tammy | Tuesday, November 28, 2006 at 06:27 PM
I loved reading about your family celebration! It's so nice that you live relatively near family members and can get together for holidays! :)
Posted by: Susan | Tuesday, November 28, 2006 at 06:34 PM
Your tree is lovely and I really like the picture you shared of your children....and the tree trimming party....how fun!
Posted by: Debi | Tuesday, November 28, 2006 at 07:48 PM
Thanks for sharing your lovely pictres :).
Posted by: Sherrin | Tuesday, November 28, 2006 at 09:11 PM
I like all the pics in this post but especially like the one of you at the end. You look quite radiant and one would never guess you were so sick just a few days back.
I've really been enjoying all your homey seasonal posts, Deb. It's always a nice visit to your place. :)
Posted by: Ruthanne | Wednesday, November 29, 2006 at 12:21 AM
Well I too was beginning to wonder if you all were all sick. When you put up part 1 I was a little disappointed that there not pictures of all the family. (Not that the critters weren't cute! :)) Everyone looks so festive and happy, what a sweet blessing to have the tree trimming together!
All of ours will be here Sat afternoon to decorate and set up our tree. We actually all go to the tree lot together and pick out the tree and then come home and start the "party" .
It gets more fun and special every year as we add to the family by marriage... can't wait to add by grandbabies! :)
Your Mom looks well, and I agree with one of your other commentors that you look like Mrs. Clause! :)
looking forward to lunch!:)
Posted by: Chris | Wednesday, November 29, 2006 at 07:37 AM
Thank you all for your sweet comments on this post. We sure enjoy our family gatherings.
Ruthanne, thank you for the encouraging words. I'm glad so many of you take time out of your day to stop by and visit.
Chris & Dorothy...think I should wear my Santa cap when we meet for lunch? That would really be a hoot, huh?! LOL!
Posted by: Mrs. Claus | Wednesday, November 29, 2006 at 09:43 AM
Glad you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! And yes, I do know how hard it is to get 7 (in my case 7 children) to smile for the camera. It ain't no easy task...lol!
Posted by: Barbara R. | Wednesday, November 29, 2006 at 12:26 PM
Definitely YES!!! LOL :)
Posted by: Chris | Wednesday, November 29, 2006 at 01:40 PM
That would be fun! It is going to be a lovely afternoon with two precious friends...I can't wait! :-)
Posted by: Dorothy | Wednesday, November 29, 2006 at 05:05 PM
I was beginning to wonder where you was.......were. Thanks for sharing the pics! Looks like ya'll had a wonderful family time!!
Posted by: Courtney | Thursday, November 30, 2006 at 12:08 PM
Those are great pictures!
You said:
Do you know how hard it is to get 7 people perfect and not one of them blinking??!
YES! Because my family is a family of blinkers....Do you know how hard it is to get TWELVE people in a picture and have all eyes open? HEHE I have a picture from my wedding of my family and husband and I that the photographer said, "Now just for fun, everyone close your eyes" and then she took the picture. She was being good-natured, but she probably used more film then normal, because everyone kept blinking!
Posted by: Tammy S. | Friday, December 01, 2006 at 10:15 AM