family photo shoot, caroling, and goodnight sweetheart

Being that this was the first time for all of us to be together since March 2006, Sharon set up a professional photo shoot for us all.  And being that of the 6 women in attendance, 5 of them are bloggers/amateur photographers (Sharon, Kenia, Betsy, Amy, and myself), this was the most documented Christmas vacation ever.  At any point, someone had a camera out.  And for most events, there were multiple cameras out, including Sean's!  So not only did the photographer take hundreds of shots of each family, the kids, the couples, and all the family together, but we each took our own shots as well.

The photo shoot was done at this most remarkable place perfectly ideal for parties and pictures.  It was an old farmland, basically, complete with barn, pond, bridge, tractors, saloon, bank, wagon wheels, large swing, outhouse, windmill, and more.  Literally dozens of awesome spots for pictures.  Here are some of my favorites from mine and Sean's cameras:

That makes 2 family pictures in a row where I'm the only one wearing capri pants.  I wish I'd noticed this sooner.  Ugh.

 

I just kept thinking over and over again how Christine would have loved this place.

Ye olde outhouse.

Dan's brother's family:  Brian, Betsy, McKay, and JJ.

I really like this one.

This one's for you, Betsy.

Some cutie patootie cousins.

Love this shot.  Though there was drama going on at the time that ended up in tears.  You know how it is...it's not a photo shoot until someone (this time, Mom) cries.

From there, we went to a friend of the family's room in a rehab center and sang some Christmas carols.  He had just been through a horrible stroke and was really suffering.  My immediate family didn't know him, but everyone else in attendance did.

After a pizza lunch, we went home and got ready for our second performance of the day at an old folks' home.  We did this a couple of years ago at Christmas time and I always remember it fondly.  We did a dozen songs (I played piano) and as far as I understand, those in attendance really enjoyed it.

And then, VIH (Voices In Harmony) performed.  Oh dear, these boys.  It was quite funny.  But I think they need to change their name to VCOOT (Voices Completely Out of Tune).  Enjoy.

Then, back home for the big dinner prep.  Sharon's brother Stanley had deep-pit cooked a turkey in the ground.

Ladies and gentlemen, next Thanksgiving, I am digging a pit in my backyard.  Because this was hands down the best turkey I have ever eaten.  Period.  The end.  Amen.  It was so juicy and delicious. . . yum, I'm hungry just thinking of it.  I gave Stanley a huge hug the next day, and I barely know the man.  ;)

And my Sister-in-law, Betsy made the best yams I've ever tasted.  And I don't like yams.  But I got seconds.  So that's saying a lot.

I have a few more days of these updates.  I know most of you don't know any of these people, but this is for posterity sake, so I must document to my heart's content.  =)

Goodnight, sweetheart.