2018 Christmas with the Barkey Family

We've had the family Christmas Eve gathering at our house for almost as long as we've lived in our house [after my mother-in-law gave up hosting it].  It's a tradition until I get too old and decrepit to keep it going!  ;-)   

Our youngest three grandchildren [Jeremy & Samantha's kids] - Izzy, Landon and Ellie.

We had our Christmas Eve dinner at 4:30 p.m.  Landon and Ellie were at a table right near the big table.

Papa read the Christmas Story from the Bible before we opened gifts.

The presents were opened from the youngest to the oldest so we could see what everyone received.

Granddaughter Brianna was home from Nashville [sitting next to her mom, Sharon].

~ Landon and Jeremy ~

~ Steve ~

 Lori - This was her year to receive Cardinal presents.

We gave Izzy a ukulele [at her request].

Then it was time for a rousing game of It's a Wonderful Life trivia.  Jeremy won with a score of 30 points [he watched the movie the day before], and Steve was runner-up with 23 points.

Birthday Cake for Jesus since He is the Reason for the Season!  Landon and Ellie blew out the candles after we sang Happy Birthday.

A game of Password for some, while others watched a Christmas movie.

[Lori and Jeremy]

John, Tiffany and Evie came over for awhile after their Christmas Eve dinner and presents with John's family.  Everyone left for their homes between 10:30 and 11:00 p.m.

John, Tiffany and Evie came over again this afternoon [Christmas Day], and we exchanged gifts and had lunch together.

We gave Evie a Fisher Price tea set.

Tiffany received the photo album/scrapbook I made her with photos from the first year of her life.

As she looked at the pictures she said, "I'm going to cry!"  Now I need to get busy on volume II.

Lunch time!

We thought Brandon & Venessa and Marissa [Lori's other two children and daughter-in-law] were going to come over too, but it turned out they couldn't make it.

2018 has been a wonderful Christmas, and we've SO much to be thankful for.  I express my gratitude to God everyday for my family.  I hope your Christmas was special too!