Band Parents

Band Parents

Monday, November 06, 2006

Holiday Traditions

Sandra over at Diary of a SAHM is hosting meme about Holiday traditions, So I thought I'd play along. I have not been doing well with Crock Pot Thursdays.

My Mom is one of 11 kids. I counter 69 of us before my cousin's engagement, in 4 generations. Even though my Grandparents are gone, the family is still close. The oldest sibling has passed away, but his wife, Sons and Daughters are still very much a part of the family. Most of us are within a 25 mile radius. So we have a big family get-together Christmas night about 6 PM. There is a gift exchange that is optional, we all bring goodies to much on. The highlight is a visit from Santa. He tells us he is on his way back to the North Pole and stopped by to see us. This has been going on for more than 30 years. My Grandpa was a Santa's helper is a department store for years. Several of my uncles have followed suit. It is always great to see the kids. Last year there were 2 6 YO boys who were raptured by Santa. My youngest son and my cousin's son. Sata give each child a small toy and a candy cane. Pictures are taken.

I told my DH shortly after we got married that this party was negotiable for me. I'd like to attend, but if we needed to visit his family at that time.... He decided that this party was one he enjoyed so much that he made his Mom work around it. My brother and his family is not always able to make it every year and my cousin, the firefighter is not always able to get to town. But the rest are there. I love the fact that my children know their Great Aunts and Uncles and cousins how know how many times removed... We do get together other times of the year also.

7 comments:

someone else said...

Wow, that's a lot of family. It's really great that you all still get together.

Sandra said...

Maggie, thank you for playing along :)

I LOVE big families and it's one of the things that I miss the most about being so far from home.

It's wonderful that you've kept the tradition of everyone getting together and also Santa visiting, that's just wonderful :)

Hugs,
Sandra

Susanne said...

That is one huge family. What a fun noisy time it must be. It's nice that everyone can see each other at a special time!

Carole Burant said...

I so enjoyed reading your Holiday Tradition...you're very lucky to have most of your family so near you!! Family is what makes Christmas and the get together you have sounds like so much fun is had by all:-)

Jen said...

My mom is one of 9.....there are 58 of us.....i so love BIG families.....

Pamela said...

Maggie, I loved reading about your big family! My hubby is the oldest of 10 kids, all married and with kids, and no divorces...ever!

It is just wonderful that the Uncles have stepped in and taken over the Santa tradition after your for your Gpa.

Thanks so much for sharing! :)

Ms. Kathleen said...

I like the idea of Santa "stopping by..." How sweet! My hubby's famiy is huge as well and we are five generations deep now! Awesome!