The first day of Christmas

Family being far flung with various jobs that make getting it all together difficult at best, we celebrate Christmas when the most people can show up at the same time. Originally, that was going to be Christmas Eve. Then it moved to Friday. A meeting moved it to Saturday. Said meeting was then cancelled, but we kept it to Saturday anyway.

The Players:

Patriarch and Matriarch preparing the feast...

Nephews providing musical entertainment and recovering from the feast.


Brothers preparing to consume feast - Jerry, James, Matt (and Shar - who bounced)


And John, exhausted from endless meetings and traveling.

Of course, Darling Man and ZBoy were there as well.

After the feast, people repaired to various pasttimes. I don't believe I have a picture of nephew Gareth without some kind of musical instrument in his hands.

We all went out to put the chickens to bed....

and visited the newest members of the clan...

We all took turns holding some of our new sisters.

And ZBoy held his first chick ever.

After fondling baby chicks, we went back to the house for presents!!!

Finally, we repaired to the kitchen to survey the damage...

and engage in a little communal grooming.

Missing in action?

Maggie and Andy. Both had to work and couldn't be here for Christmas, but luckily for us, Jerry had a birthday a couple of days ago and Andy DID make it down for that!

Andy

Birthday Boy Jerry

Celebrating another year of life at the Olive Garden! Happy Birthday, Jerry!