This post is dedicated to the Terrill Family Party - but these Terrills had a fun Christmas night, and I wanted to share it!! Hannah and Henry did a little number on the ivories, and that got everyone into the musical Christmas mode - we ended up spending the evening singing
every carol in the
Hallmark Christmas Carols book - even the ones we didn't know!! It was fun, to say the least. Fortunately, the houses on either side of us are vacant, so we didn't bother anyone!!
and now -
Terrill Family Christmas Party - Photo recap for your viewing pleasure!!
We were trying to remember and figured that this was the
4th Annual New Edition of the Terrill Family Party. That would be the one that's on the first Sunday after Christmas.
You will note that there were some special first time guests to the new edition. Karen flew down from Idaho, and Phil, Amy, and family were in town, so they were able to come.
Harry F. showed us some fine culinary efforts with a pot of great homestyle chicken noodle and vegetable soup. Salad, rolls, fruit, left-over potato soup from Christmas Eve, and a dizzying array of yummy dessert treats rounded out the menu.
Scott and family came.
The kids enjoyed playing the dreidl game.
A somewhat casual version of the Nativity - but sweet and moving just the same.
The Siblings - together at last!!
Some of another group of siblings - certain Claytons are now part of the Terrill Family Party!
Harry F., Dawn, and family - even if Harry W. wasn't interested in posing!!
Bill and Marjorie are Honorary Terrills it seems!! We love having them each year!
Doug and family - always ready for some fun!!
I realized I didn't take a photo of Dad and me!! So here's one of Dad, so you'll know he was there - clean-up monitor extraordinaire I might add!
Greg - another honorary Terrill!
It was really great to have Amy, Phil, kids joining us. Not sure what the white spot is on Connor's face - my photography skills produce some odd effects some times!
And by taking only one shot, I got Steve with his eyes shut!! But they were open the whole night!!
Some Cousin Cuties - yes??
Hannah and Robbie - always ready for fun!
Bonny, Bruce and their bevy of beauties - always a great addition to the party.
Grandma said she got a nap this afternoon - so she was up for all the festivities.
Phoebe, David, and family - we were happy they were here this year.
For many years, the Terrill Family Christmas Party was a pivotal event in our lives. It seemed like once we had the party, the Christmas season could truly begin. (It was held on the last Saturday before Christmas.) As a growing family spread over many states and even countries - the party had a smaller and smaller "original core" in attendance. Also, it became a bigger job than Grandma Terrill could handle on her own. There was talk that maybe it would be ending. Grandma had done a wonderful job for so many years. It seemed like it would not be possible to replicate what it had become for our family.
One year it was Dad's 60th birthday, and we did a party for him in place of the family party. It seemed that maybe the Christmas party would truly not happen again. But the next year, Dad suggested that we do one at the church - and just invite everyone and see who came. We included more than Terrills too. And it was pretty simple - we did pizza from Costco in fact, with potluck for the rest. We didn't have Santa come, and we didn't have a talent show. We didn't exchange gifts either.
We did keep up the nativity - even though we'd decided on the first Sunday night
after Christmas, the nativity still seemed essential to the event.
Everyone is not there. We miss those who are not. And we miss those who are no longer with us. But we love being with those who are there. And we love it when someone who hasn't been able to come in the past is able to come - like Amy and Karen this time.
Sometimes it's good to keep up traditions - even if you have to do a makeover on them. It's worth the effort. Tonight certainly was!
