The Downey Christmas!

The Downey Christmas was great, as usual, this year with lots of laugher, conversation, gift-opening, and eating! Can't forget the eating! I was a little sad though, because mom hurt her hip that morning and wasn't able to be there with us. Aunt Barbara kept joking about cutting out pictures of mom and pasting them in the pictures from this year. LOL And you know how women are...always wanting to know what gifts the other ones got. All the women wanted to take a vote to open mom's gift to see what she got and then have someone wrap it back up for dad to take home to her. Unfortunately, we were out voted because the men just didn't care and there were more of them. :)

We usually rotate whose house to have Christmas at, since the family is too big now to have it at grandpa's house. This year it was at my uncle Tom and aunt Carol's home up in northern Indiana. There are 11 grandchildren, me being the oldest. My cousin Adam is the second oldest and he and his girlfriend Jessica are engaged now, but everyone keeps razzin' them about setting a date. I'm happy for you guys! Here are some of the pictures from the day...

Grandpa and his five children (from left to right) Eric, Kim, Carol, dad, and Kevin

 

Grandpa (sportin' Purdue!), Adam, and Jessica

 

Uncle Kevin and Aunt Barbara, Michelle, Adam, and Jessica

 

The three brothers, who could hardly stop laughing long enough to take the picture...Eric, dad, and Kevin

 

Uncle Tom, Aunt Carol, and cousins Aaron, Gracie, and Katie

 

Uncle Eric, Aunt Jacquie, Adam, and Jessica

 

Uncle Bobbie (the jokester), Aunt Kim, Adam, and Jessica

 

Me, dad, and my sister Alice

 

And here are all of the grandkids, plus Jess

 

Some of you may rememer Papa (Wilbur), my mom's father who passed away in July. This was our first Christmas without him. I ran accross this picture the other day of him from a few Christmases ago and it brought a smile to my face. He had just got done opening a present and then stuck the bow on his head...Papa, we'll miss you!

 


And I had to post a picture of my roommate Samuel (we call him Sammy), posing by our Christmas tree. Although he really doesn't help much with the rent, he's my little bud! :)

 

To the Downey family:
If I haven't ever told you...I'm grateful for you. Grandpa I'm grateful for the example that you and grandma were and for the the family you raised. I miss her so much! To each of my aunts and uncles-thank you for staying together and for the families you've built on your own. You don't know how blessed I feel to be in a family that is committed to marriage and family, where everyone is still together. Mom and dad-thanks for your commitment to each other, even when things get tough and for your unconditional love, acceptance, and forgiveness. To Alice-thanks for being more than just a sister, but a good friend also. And to my cousins-as each of you grow up, I can't wait to get to know you more. We're the future of this family and I pray that we will always carry on the things our family has taught and given us. I pray that in 2006 we can be more of a family who loves God and who loves each other! I love you all! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!


Trust GOD from the bottom of your heart;
don't try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for GOD's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;
He's the One who will keep you on track.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (The Message)