Merry Christmas-Happy New Year

Merry Christmas - Happy New Year
20080104

Things were very busy for us over the Holy Days. Sorry we didn’t post anything, but now it’s time to catch up.

We went to Brad and Amanda’s for an early Christmas celebration. We had a GREAT time! All the Bonham clan was present. Brad and Amanda went out of their way to make us comfortable and uncomfortably full with excellent food. Mom and I had BrayLee’s room and were very comfortable. I’m not sure where every one slept, but I think it was wall to wall on the floor.

Arlene and I were the first to arrive. Everyone else, Bruce and Ardith along with Mrs. Bonham, April and Shannon with Benjamin, Jenna, and Emily, and Jessica and Tom all arrived as expected. The problem was no one had heard from Josh and Michelle. Numerous calls to their cell phone went unanswered. There was much ado assuming they were not coming. The concern only increased as the calls went unanswered. Suddenly they appeared at the door and the cloud lifted! Our celebration was on Sunday morning. I read the Christmas story from Luke. Mom read the Amish version of “The Night Before Christmas.”

We arrived home on Monday, Christmas Eve day. I did not have to work Monday or Tuesday—the computer was playing Christmas music 24 hours a day, Sunday through Christmas Day. On Christmas day we received a call from Audrey and Madison that we had to get to their place asap so they could open their gifts. It was another full day. Jon and Annette were host and hostess extraordinaire. Carol, Adam and Amy arrived first, Roy III arrived in time for the BIG meal. He had to work and went in early. All the Zastrows were present—Greg, Lori, Philip, Jason and Sarah. Joy and Lee were at Jeremy and Tracy’s for the morning, but all the Cornelius and Geaslen families arrived later in the afternoon. We had another wonderful celebration!

The third celebration took place at John and Heather’s on Saturday, December 30. It was an open invitation for the family to celebrate the Christmas/New Year holiday in Winona Lake. We spent Friday through Sunday with Rick and Deb. Jon and Annette and girls, Lee and Joy, Jeremy, Tracy and family, Roy, Carol and Amy all made it for the day. Holly, Kaia, Easton and Karolina as well as Ken and Heidi, Lexi and Kyle represented the Warsaw branches. Ryan was working. Once again, we missed Mike and Tim and their families. No! The swimming pool was not open. Thanks to John and Heather for hosting such a crowd. More delicious food than we could eat.

So Grandma and I had one of our best and certainly the longest Christmas celebration ever. We received gifts galore. I’m hesitant to name them since there were so many. Gadgets, games, books, clothes, sox and I don’t remember what else and of course my GoBible mp3 player.

Thank you everyone for all your love and thoughtfulness!

Gpa G

P.S. We celebrated Christmas at our place with the Brady's and all the Dayton family at Thanksgiving. Lisa out did herself with all the cooking and preparation. I'm sure she went home to get rested up. Mom discovered she couldn't handle entertaining that way any more. Sorry, Lisa, I forgot to mention it.