THE COLEMAN FIVE: Holiday Fun With The Family

Again, one thing that's so great about the holidays is getting the chance to spend quality time with your loved ones. Every year for the "Cousin's Christmas Party" we incorporate some type of charitable activity. Since Kaley was performing at the Make-A-Wish Fundraiser (and since it was my turn to decide :}), we decided to combine the two & bring the family along. So they got to see her dance, and in turn, that brought more towards this fabulous charity. We've seen what a difference it makes first hand with our dear friend, Tina's, son, Cameron, who battled years of cancer (and fortunately doing fabulous now at 17! :}). And I love getting our family together...we're the best! :}

So speaking of Tina, she graciously offered up her home to come over after (since she lived the neighborhood across the street). We were laughing at Annie as she stirred up the hot chocolate (and looking so thrilled! :})

She caught us! :}

How fast baby Haiden is growing...everyone loves to smother him! :}

The kids had fun wrestling around together

Then it was time to divide up of the money that Grandpa Leach collects all year to split equally between all the Grand kids. This means a lot to him (and the kids, of course) & we love that he does this! It's a tradition my Grandma Leach started for us many years ago, to help pay for our "Christmas Eve Pajamas" each year. You've got to love traditions!! Thanks Dad! :}

Another family event we look forward to is the "Tate Family Party". As many know, we have an awfully big extended family (which I love!), so it's not easy to get so many together at once! And how much it grows each year too! We're so glad we got at least one more year with Grandma (which we weren't to sure of earlier in the year as she fell pretty ill & fortunately rebounded with much thanks to so many of the family taking great care of her!). It's kind of a joke about how many decedents she'll actually have on her obituary (that's my silly Grandma, she just tells it how it is when it comes to her funeral & things). So glad cousin, Wendy, could make it form New York too. We have to thank her daughter, Emma, for that, who I hear is the one that persuaded her to spend the money because it was just too important for them to see Grandma! (flights are not cheap right now we know!) Good job Emma! :}

Plus we know she was loving all this time with her Aunts & cousins! :}

I'm so glad our kids understand the importance of making the most of their time with their Grandparents! You just can't take that for granted!

With cousins living all over the country, it's awesome to have them together in one room!

No doubt this is Maurie's son...he's a little miniature him all the way! :}

So glad Uncle David & Aunt Mimi's family drove up from Hurricane too (or down from Logan :}). It was fun to meet Daniel's new wife (I still feel bad I had to miss the wedding! :( ).

They are both very talented musicians (as many of the Tate Family are...not sure how most of my immediate family missed it :}).

Christine & her fiance, Sean. They are such a cute couple...we're excited for them! :}

We take this time to share family updates, talents & stories. This year we dedicated it to Grandma & shared memories of her, or things that made us think of her. She had us laughing with her own family update & what her kids are up to (with some sarcasm behind it...all in a fun way, of course). She certainly hasn't lost her sense of humor! :}