The Gilbert/Lacey/Foust Family

Loved having my family all in one place for just a few days!

The Grubb Family Tree

The Grubb families were the host of the party and we had the party at my sister, Jocelyn's (nickname - Monkey) house. We did get a few pictures of our family also. These are my siblings, from left to right (youngest to oldest), Beverly, Jocelyn, Johnny and me! Our families have grown as we welcome childrens' spouses. We're missing several in this picture - Monk's son, Brian and his wife, Caroline, who were married last May and Taylor, Bev's son. missed you! What fun to have us all in the same place for just a little while.

Wilkinson Family Party

I was so glad to be able to attend the family party while in Richmond! I am reminded that I'm the oldest grandchild/cousin and the only family member who doesn't live in Richmond at these gatherings. My grandmother, Lois Wilkinson, had three daughters. My mother was one of those daughters and was an identical twin. Mama's sisters are still living and were able to attend the party. Auntie, the one on the right, is Mama's twin and Aunt Phyllis, on the left, is their younger sister. They both have married children and grandchildren. This year, Auntie became a great-grandmother twice! I had fun visiting with everyone and getting caught up on all the happenings.
These are all my 1st cousins on my mother's side of the family! It was good to see you all!

Christmas Fiesta

Did you know that there was a

Christmas pattern in Fiestaware?

I found this Christmas pattern and it's so cute. It's a Christmas tree with the decorations on the tree all the colors of the Fiesta dishes. Katie and Mary Beth have now started the Christmas pattern to go with their Fiesta!

Christmas Morning in B'ham & R'mond!

Christmas 2011 found us driving across the country to spend time with Katie and Matt and Mary Beth and Caleb! We left Fort Worth on Friday, Dec. 22, and drove to Birmingham, AL. We stayed in B'ham for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day before driving on to Richmond, VA to spend the week.

We enjoyed "church hopping" for the Christmas services, Christmas Eve at Katie's church and then Matt's church, Christmas morning with Katie at First Methodist. We celebrated the coming of the Christ child in several different ways - all meaningful!

Early Monday morning, we loaded the car with luggage, gifts, food, 4 adults and 1 dog and headed to Richmond, VA. It was a long drive which made for a long day but we arrived around 7pm. Mary Beth had declared Monday to be Christmas Eve and Tuesday to be Christmas for our family celebration! So, we enjoyed Christmas Eve goodies at Mary Beth's and then all moved to our "home away from home" for the holidays! Thank you to Ron and Cyndi Crawford for the gift of their home while we were in Richmond.

Christmas morning came with all the traditions - matching pajama pants, cinnamon and orange rolls and opening presents. Tim tried out his Nook, Katie and Matt explored their sushi making instrument and Mary Beth and Caleb liked their gift card to P.F. Chang's.

We went to work cooking for lunch - Grandma Gilbert's potato salad, fruit salad and German Chocolate cake along with dressing, green bean casserole and ham for us meat eaters! It was a feast! We laughed, told stories and enjoyed our Christmas Day together!