Since we alternate every other year with being together with all the "Knochels" and with the in laws for Christmas and Thanksgiving, this was our year to celebrate Christmas with my side of the family at a different time. We chose to get together on the Saturday after Christmas and we had a really wonderful day together! Levi and Joel had a lot of fun playing nicely with their cousins (they LOVE Nora and Asher...and baby Bennett, but he's not too much fun just yet). All the adults also enjoyed relaxing together and catching up. We have truly been blessed to have all 4 siblings marry wonderful people who fit in so well with our family! I love my sister and brothers in law :). My Mom cooked up her usual feast, this time centering on pork roast and brisket with serveral yummy sides, two pies and lots of cookies and candies. We arrived at my parents home in the morning, opened gifts and then dove into the delicious meal. All the gifts were thoughtful and personal, and everyone was very happy. The boys spent the whole day playing with all their new toys (with a some time playing outside in the chilly weather too), and I must say, their grandparents and aunts/uncles really did a great job choosing things they would love!
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| All 5 precious Knochel grandkids :) |
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| this is what sweet Bennett thought of the gift opening chaos |
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| Moe had a lot of help opening her gifts...even Wolverine helped ;) |
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| gadget man and his chronograph |
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| it was so sweet how well the kids played together with Levi and Joel's new animals...this lasted a long time! |
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| I love my little Bennett...he's getting so big! |
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| These two spent about 30 minutes in this tree...gabbing away about who know what :) |
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| Pop & Moe with their cute and silly grandchildren |
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| Newly weds! We love having Aunt Morgan in the family! |
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| Me and Gran (94 years young) |
After Joel and Asher took a nice afternoon nap we called up Molly and Ryan on skype and enjoyed a slightly chaotic conversation with them. We wish they could have been with us, but it was so fun to see them on the computer screen smiling and doing well. Even the kiddos and Gran got in on the conversation! One of my favorite things about technology and social media is how it can be used to keep in touch with the people you love. Despite all the negatives that have come with the even increasing dependance on technology in our culture, I love it's ability to keep people connected.
It's hard to believe Christmas is over and it will soon be 2014! We had a wonderful time celebrating with our family, and are feeling truely blessed by what we have been through in 2013. It was a year of growth and loss for our family, but through it all I am left feeling incredibly grateful for all I have. God is good and he loves us so well.
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| kids make Christmas magical :) |
1 comment:
What a great post, Jocelyn! You got lots of really good pics. And I love your words about all you've been through in 2013. It's very encouraging that you can see the blessings, even in the hard times. Love you! Excited to see what 2014 has in store for your sweet family :)
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