The Terrill Holiday Party started out as a Christmas Eve celebration - and this was before my time actually. We only came down to California once for Christmas. After we moved here, Helen had started scheduling it on the last Saturday before Christmas. About 10 years ago, Helen felt she just wasn't up to doing it at her house. Jim and Frances had moved to Utah, so it seemed like a logical time to end the tradition. That year, though, Harry turned 60 and I invited a lot of folks to the church for a little celebration. And then the next year, I thought that it might be nice to have it at the church - and invite Claytons as well as Terrills - and friends too. Thus the first Sunday after Christmas at the building on Lemon became the new venue. Other details have changed back and forth too, and there are going to be changes in the future to look forward to.
One of the major issues is the ever-expanding size of the party. This year there were 76 people there - and only 8 were not Claytons or Terrills. The more telling statistic though, is the fact that 29 of those 76 guests were children under 15! That really makes a difference! (The size of the group was one of the issues for Helen - houses have finite sizes - but families just keep growing!)
The pinata is always a hit - it's a holdover from the Clayton Family Christmas parties we did for a few years in the 90's.
The Terrill guests tend to change each year - depending on when folks arrive. Since our family celebration is on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, some family members come after the Sunday after Christmas.
The Bolanders are usually in full force!
And sometimes we have a cookie exchange.
Little ones always need herding!
And we are fortunate that Grandma Helen has been able to come each year.
I usually don't have a pic of myself at the occasion - but I asked Ara to take pictures this year!
This is the scramble for the candy.
Taylor and Keesa joined us this year - they seemed to enjoy it too.
Jims's kids Doug and Robin and family are regular attendees - as are Scott and Heather.
For the last two years, my brother Richard and his wife - and some of his family members - have been in town and have joined us. My cousin Greg usually comes too. He's a Stevens, but we've made him an honorary Clayton/Terrill!
Mary's daughter Tami was in town this year.
And we always have the favorite Aunt - which would be Aunt Donna!
The best part about these parties is the fact that the kids get to connect - at least once a year - with relatives they might never see or even meet.
And that is what family is all about!
