Tis the Season . . .

 Thanksgiving we were all together in Tulsa . . . In keeping with our annual tradition, we kicked off the holiday with Wednesday brunch at the Wild Fork.  It started years ago as Bethany and I would get away for a relaxing meal (that we didn't have to cook ourselves) to kick off the weekend.  It grew every year to include more and more of us.

Throughout the day Wednesday different family members arrived.  Jim and Jan made it in ahead of Colorado storms on Monday night.  Marshall, Katie and the kids came in mid-day from Edmund and Mike Good and Tammy joined us in late afternoon.  We all enjoyed a simple meal of soup at our house Wednesday night and Holiday breakfast the next morning.

Mat smoked the turkey and each person shared their own part of the meal.

Having Mike and Tammy with us made our Thanksgiving holiday even more special.
Tammy drove them in from Springfield, MO. (She hates driving on the interstate- but got them here in great shape).  Mike is living each day to its fullest loving the Lord as he battles ALS.  Tammy is his devoted caregiver.  

Christmas came right on the heels of Thanksgiving and it all sort of blended into one long season of celebrating.   We got to see the Grands in all their Christmas programs and it was wonderful.  The season takes on a special significance from the eyes of little ones -- as Jack says, "It's about Jesus birth!"

 Sun 12/8 - Jack and Sydney sang in Redeemer Covenant's Children's choir

 Sat 12/14 Charlie and Clara's school program and Clara's Dance Recital

cl   Sun 12/15  -  Both Sydney and Campbell were in the Nutcracker and spent many hours practicing for it.   Sydney was a clown and Campbell was a mouse.  The girls did an outstanding job and loved it!

 

 Meanwhile, the 3 little guys hung out together with Uncle Mat and Aunt Bethany. 

Wed 12/18  We got to see Jack in his last preschool Christmas Program at Redeemer Covenant 

Marshall and Katie hosted Christmas week at their house with Jim and Jan Good arriving on the 22nd, Terry and I arriving Christmas Eve and Mat and Bethany and the Goodletts coming in on Christmas morning.  We were 8 adults, 6 kiddos and 4 dogs.

Up at 5:45 and ready for the morning!

Early morning Edmund - Charlie really got into the swing of it.

Edmund by 10:30

Christmas clutter and soooo many fun gifts

These four make a great team and took great care of their parents!!!  Prime Rib with all the trimmings
 Cousin Fun -- the 6  Grands loved being together and were sad when they had to say goodbye.
 

 Campbell got hair chalk and make-up for Christmas - so the gals 
played beauty shop.

Pawpaw is the "go-to" for fun and cuddles
Word is that he created "Santa Claus" by phone on Christmas Eve for the Tulsa Grands and their friends.

This little guy laughed grinned and loved every minute of his holiday.  I loved my time snuggling and holding --watching him
grow so quickly makes me hold on to him a little longer.

s

Larry Bandy

Once again, loss has occurred and again this time it hits close.  My lifelong friend, Charlene DeWerff Bandy has lovingly cared for her husband, Larry, for over 10 years.  She and Larry have been woven within my family's history for the past 48 years and with, Charlene 67 years of close family ties.  December 8, Larry Bandy joined the ranks of Heaven.

Larry fought for our country in Vietnam and came home to marry Charlene and raise a family.  He loved his family, worked the DeWerff family farm while working another job in manufacturing for many years.  His years in Vietnam caused him to contract Agent Orange Disease.   It took a serious toll on his heart, lungs, kidneys and caused him to contract diabetes, as well.  I remember that as Larry returned from war - landing at the St. Louis airport - heading home to surprise his family- no one would offer him a ride.  It was an unpopular war that did not honor its military.  Recently Larry was recognized for his service at a gathering of supportive veterans-- long overdue.  

Larry will be sorely missed by his family -- he was a beloved grandfather to four and created special family times with them.  He was a special granddad.

Working on automobiles was Larry's passion and he restored them.  He and Charlene would travel to Nomad conventions across country to connect with other Nomad Enthusiasts.
Larry and Charlene were truly a team as they did life together -- farming, traveling and raising their family.