For the first time in many years (especially since there have been 18 of us), we were blessed to spend the Holiday with all our family (+1) under one roof, for 6 days! I rented Kaye and Rob's lakehouse in Bella Vista. It has 5 bedrooms and 4 baths so adults (from Laine up) all had a bed (except Lleyton who got the upstairs couch).
Jeff and I went up on the 23rd and had a couple of days of peace and quiet and also gave me time to grocery shop and cook.
On Christmas Eve, we attended one of 5 Christmas Eve services that Cross Church, Pinnacle Hills offered. Jeff and I were members at this church (and I worked for the Springdale) campus 17-18 years ago. We made some great friends there and really enjoyed our time with that Church Family! The service was so, so good!! We enjoyed it greatly!!
Very late Christmas night, Josh, Michelle and Saylor arrived, driving straight thru from Nashville, TN (9-10 hours). This picture of Saylor was on the morning of the 26th with one of her Christmas presents.
Later that morning, her sister, Avi and boyfriend Lleyton flew into NWA from Nashville. Immediately after arriving, Saylor had to take them down to the lake. Lleyton seemed to really enjoy the beauty of the area and the 24 hours they spent with us.
After lunch, the McCrary crew arrived and all then anxiously awaited the Texas Swarts.
By late afternoon, everyone was there much to DeDe and Papa's delight!💞
It was so warm the first few days, that the patio got lots of use and it was wonderful!
After our big Christmas meal (Turkey, Ham, and all the fixins' including homemade noodles), we had our gift exchange.
Jeff and I were once again blessed with wonderful gifts! Thanks so much to all!!
After gift opening time, we played "I've Got the Spirit" with lots of laughs and a few figured it out😆
The weather was so warm, we enjoyed the patio even first thing in the morning!
Avi and Lleyton were leaving late morning on the 27th to go visit other family. So we headed down to the dock to get family pictures. The first ones are some with my camera and Rachel's shots.
It was a gorgeous day! Perfect for pictures (and that view - WOW!)
With Lleyton included:
Yes, I had fun with ChatGPT......I definitely love a White Christmas but this year I was extra "thankful" for a summer-like Christmas (it was 70 degrees when we took the pictures).
Our greatly loved 10 Grandchildren!!💞💞
With Lleyton included
Each of our grandchildren💞
Avi -- 21 years old
Laine -- 15 years old
Ellie -- 13 years old
Copeland -- 12 years old
Eisley -- 11 years old
Shep -- 10 years old
Gideon -- 8 years old
Kipling -- 7 years old
Disney Princesses
Regular Princesses
The Guys
Jonathan created this one: Lord of the Rings
Josh, Michelle, Avi and Saylor
Rachel, Jonathan, Copeland, Eisley, Gideon and Kipling
And he wanted to do it again, but this time, Mom and Dad said, "No" 😆
Then I gave them their stockings to open (for the last time😢). It's just getting too hard for DeDe to find items to put in those stockings, especially the older they get. So next year, it will just be one big gift. I sent those stockings home with them this time to keep for memory's sake. I had a church member from Galena, Jess Hall, embroidery their names on each one as they were born!❤️
Trying to soak up the last of the "warm" weather. By Sunday afternoon, it got COLD!🥶
There was lots of game playing -- especially the kids and the adults also got some cards played
They loved it (and yes, I did too)😉
Sunday night, the kids invited some of their friends over for dinner (all went to church together when Andy pastored in NWA). That added 6 adults and 7 children! It was a houseful, but they loved catching up with all!
One with Lleyton
Andy, Carman, Laine, Ellie, Shep and Mack
After pictures, Josh took Avi and Lleyton to meet her Dad.
A few of us stayed down on the deck and enjoyed the wonderful weather.
Shep had been wanting to jump in the Lake! His parents finally said, "Yes." Backing up to that first day, Lleyton jumped in and stayed for 3 minutes!! But I wasn't down there to get a picture. But here goes Shep!
His Dad and Mom were down on the lower deck. Carman with a towel and Dad taking a video but also prepared to jump in, if he had too! The outside temperature was 70 but the water temp was around 45! It did take the boy's breath away🥶, but he did it and was pretty proud of himself!👏👏
That evening, we went to a local Mexican restaurant and ate dinner. Then traveled to Rogers to a Barnes and Noble to do their cousin shopping. It was pretty cool how they did it, but too complicated for me to try to explain. But they loved getting back to the lakehouse to see what they bought for each other. Nice gifts!
Sunday morning -- with 17 in the house, it was just too hard to try to all get showered, dressed and church on time. So Papa led our family service at the house.....having the children participate by reading verses of the passage he spoke on, "Is Christmas over for You?"
Rachel made them some Grinch Popcorn (popcorn, melted marshmallows colored green with M&M's) and Grinch punch. 💚💚
Monday, December 29th was my 72nd birthday. Loved having the family with me (yes the picture was before showers, dressing, makeup, hair brushed, etc.) Josh, Michelle and Saylor were leaving that morning, thus the need to get Saylor in the picture.
Saying goodbye to Saylor 😢
That afternoon, the grandkids baked me a cake🎂🥰
Couldn't find a "2" candle so used two "1" candles. The teased me that I was 711 years old. I "kinda" felt it at this point 😂😂
Video of them singing to me❤️
Yes, another ChatGPT edition--I wish I looked that good and that young!😆
After an Italian meal, we played "Psychiatrist"
Rachel played it first and figured out what our problem was, pretty easily😊
Of course, many of the children wanted a turn. So we added several different "problems" so they could have a turn and most of them figured it out! It was a lot of fun!
Our last morning together, I fixed breakfast casserole, eggs, bacon and Papa made homemade donuts. They were a hit!
And then it was the dreaded time to say goodbye, knowing it would be many months before we are able to be all together again (possibly not til next Christmas). The downer of living so far apart.😢
Jeff and I headed home later that day and so thankful that all the family had safe travels to their homes!
Thank you, Lord, for blessing us with this time together!!
Praying that each of you reading this, have a healthy and prosperous 2026 and live lives that bring honor and glory to Jesus!!
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