Last year we all wore ugly sweaters. This year for the Annual Bell Family Christmas, we all got to wear whatever we wanted; however, I noticed that Santa’s outfit didn’t totally match (Mike!). As a kid I liked the Bell Gatherings because it meant time spent with my cousins. My grandma and her siblings would usually have some type of skit for us kids to perform and sometimes they’d put on their own silly show. I also liked the singing of Christmas carols.
This year we focused on helping to celebrate Midge’s 90th (coming in January!!) and it was the first time that Maggie was old enough to participate in some of the kid-related activities. She wasn’t too keen on Santa and opted just to stand next to him, I think she was motivated to get her stocking, just like all the older kids had done. There was cookie decorating, dancing and singing of songs she is familiar with.
I feel proud that I know who my mom’s cousins are, who their children are and how we’re all related. Not many families can say that they know their extended family and I’m lucky enough to come from a family where both sides make a definite effort to connect. I love to think that all those decades ago when my grandma and her siblings decided to bring their families together around Christmas is a decision that was made and stuck for generations to come. Without that calculated effort early on, I’d never know my 2nd cousins and beyond!
With my cousin Danielle pregnant (yahoo!!!), Maggie will have her first girl cousin on my side of the family and I fully expect those two girls (and B2 as well!) to dance away at gatherings for years to come!
Cheers to All the Bells, especially Midge!
(And to put it into perspective about how long The Bell Gath has been going on, I start the photos off with this image from the 1973 Bell Christmas archives. And I’m certain this isn’t from the first Bell Gath either, just an awesome image thanks to Nancy!)
Things I love about this image:
1. My grandpa’s vest.
2. My mom’s hair.
3. Mike’s mustache.
4. The collars.
Your pictures captured some great times. ONE THING… MAGGIE has 2 boy cousins already…just waiting for the next GIRL cousin is what you meant .. LOVE your pictures.
That is exactly what I meant, Mom! Correction made. Peyton and Maggie were cute enough ~ but there is something about girl cousins that is extra special.
Amen to that!