More Christmas Gatherings

December 21 & 24, 2025

We enjoyed our usual Christmas family festivities. We had the cousin Christmas party on Sunday evening and then our Christmas Eve gathering at noon on Wednesday. Brit and I are still trying to tweak the cousin party to fit our current group. For years, the kids drew names and exchanged gifts. Over the last couple of years, we switched to a candy bar trading game. This year, we decided to just try viewing Christmas lights and playing games.

The cousins are growing up and moving away. Britney's crew is the last of the original Vore cousins, but luckily, we have some second cousins, who are local, coming up through the ranks. I guess all of this to say, I'm not sure how long the cousin Christmas party tradition will last. Maybe passing the reins on to the next generation or just tabling it for the time is the answer.

The weather was pretty mild. I think the high was 58°, but we all still enjoyed some hot chocolate before our Christmas light walk. 

The Kerry Vores were not able to make it this year. We were glad Grandma and Grandpa Honey were able to join in the fun.

Charlotte, Becca, Braddock, Britney, Adam, Grandma and Grandpa Honey (aka Shari & John Martin), & Brian

Parker, Aubrey, Ella, Char, Hudson w/ Gracie, Braddock, Becca, Megan, Adam
Front: Lincoln, Noah, and Christian

This neighborhood goes all out in decorating, and it's nice to visit while we walk the short two blocks.

We headed back to the Birds for the game portion of the night. We decided we should have games for the littles and then a different one for the older cousins and adults. 

Duck, Duck, Goose was a hit. I love Gracie in her little chef's hat making the rounds.

Kaide, Christian, Gracie and Char in the circle w/ Brit, Adam & Tanner watching

Ella (10) was willing to help with the littles but definitely wanted to be included with the bigs. 

Ella dashing to her spot

Noah's turn!

I had planned Fish Bowl, a charades game, for the older group. I tried to get it going, but it was a flop. I felt a little disappointed, but I think everyone enjoyed just hanging out like we do most Sunday nights.

Christmas Eve

Cheers to milder winter weather. This screenshot was taken on Christmas Eve. It's wild.

 

Our Christmas Eve gathering was nice, as expected. We enjoyed pizza, salad, and treats. The pizza was a little gift to the ladies from the ladies...less to have to plan for and prepare. We visited and then shared talents and enjoyed listening/watching the nativity. 

Kaide and his family shared his talent of dribbling a soccer ball through cones. He was so cute. Erin's family is very into soccer, and Tanner has been taking Kaide to "train" at the park.

The Birdies each shared a Haiku they had written. The poems were cute and witty.

I absolutely LOVED Nate's talent. He shared a five minute video of the joke we played on Britney and Adam at the sibling gift exchange. It was fun to laugh all together while we watched the video. 

We loved that Chris and Ang were able to join us from Cote d'Ivoire. They shared some about their mission, and we were able to ask questions.

Their grandkids were waving and waving when they were on the big screen. 

For their talent, Chris and Ang shared a video of children from one of the branches doing a dance.

I love the nativity. It is beautiful to listen to the story of Jesus' birth while watching the little and not so little ones act it out.

We had our gathering at noon, and so when I heard that Nate and Beth were going to her family's church for a Christmas Eve candlelight service, I decided to go too. I am really glad I did. It was a small gathering of maybe thirty people. There was Christmas music by their preacher and two other members of their congregation. Then Beth's mom, Ilene, did the reading and then we lit our candles and sang Silent Night. It was beautiful and filled my heart. I loved seeing and being with other children of God celebrating the birth of His son, Jesus Christ.

Nate & Beth