As the family circle grows larger and larger, we break up some of the activities. The largest event took place at the Stern residence and was hosted by Jim and Jessica. We had a marvelous Christmas Day dinner at Arnies in Chesterfield, and because of weather and other obligations, the Columbia Clan had their own Christmas Day activities. Here is just a sampling of the many pictures that were taken. |
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The traditional Christmas pictures with Santa |
Summer and Allison posing with Santa. Summer is bigger than Santa.
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Our little Charlie with the big guy.
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The big Family Gathering at the Sterns Home |
Arnie brought Summer and Allison. There were quite a few kids at the Sterns gathering. All of them were on there best behavior of course.
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This looks like a before picture for a "Hair Color For Men" ad. The beards may be gray, but the spirit is young and flourishing. Bro-in-laws Steve, Kent and Arno.
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These two don't need any external help. Sister-in-law Taryn and Jessica our hostess.
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Kent and Carla. Looking good!
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Tina brought her beautiful granddaughter Olivia. This is one sweet baby!
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Matthew and Taryn together on the window seat.
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Matthew again... This time with his sister Ariel.
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Cherie joins Taryn, Summer, Arnie and Allison near the food area. Summer discovered some very delicious cup cakes.
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Everybody likes to cuddle the babies (especially when they are fed and cleaned). Here cousins Karen and Taryn are joined by their aunt Shirley
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Yet another baby arrives on the scene. Angie joins the party with Nolan and baby Parker. Goodie, more babies to go around. This one smells good too.
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Cherie didn't waste any time grabbing the little cutie.
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Sisters Carla and Cherie.
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Brothers Steve and Jim with sister Shirley in the middle.
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Taryn and Amy squeezing little McKennah between them.
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Allison got some some warm, fuzzy houseshoes for Christmas that Taryn seems to be coveting.
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It wouldn't be a family gathering without a pose of Grandpa with the girls. Little Charlie is missing.
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Cherie cuddling little Allison.
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The two Arnos.
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The newlyweds, Rick and Amy.
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Debbie and Steven with McKennah.
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Summer and baby Parker.
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That Karen doesn't like Olivia too much, does she?
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Girl talk.
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Allison and Summer by one of the trees that the Sterns had up. That makes up for the lack of Christmas decorations in our own home.
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Grandpa Jim with little Olivia and our Summer.
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The group gathering for the new tradition of an ornamant exchange.
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More girl talk.
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Steve checking out his ornament. Debbie approves!
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Some of the kids retreating upstairs to play and show off their teeth.
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McKennah displaying one of her gifts.
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Eva made a haul. She was a very happy and appreciative little girl.
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Some of the girls playing Blanket Candy Land.
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Nolan is a little gentleman. Here he is coloring with the ladies.
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Eva is pondering the effect that this holiday food is having on her girlish figure.
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Look what crawled out of the kid's play tent!
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Here is that same guy torturing a helpless baby doll with a screw driver. Kent is trying to calm down Eva as she looks on in horror!
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Sunshine Kent joins the gang in a game of Candyland.
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It's Summers turn to hold little Parker.
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Jessica wants hold Olivia but Tina won't let go. Olivia is eating one of her presents.
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A distant glimpse of Jeremy and our host, Jim Stern. Someone should have gotten a better picture of those two.
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| Christmas Day at Arnies |
Christmas Day dinner at Arnies. Shirley joined us for the festivities and Rebecca was in charge of one of the best meals I've had in recent memory. Beef tenderloin with all the trimmings including some delicious deserts and salad.
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Rebecca laboring in the kitchen.
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Allison inspecting one of her gifts. Hannah Montana seems to have ruled this year. Who is that anyway?
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Paul, Rebecca and Arno Sr. We decided to forego gift giving to the adults this year and instead give the money to charity. Some cheated and gave gifts anyway. I guess this is an effort to get my attention away from soccer games and into a book instead.
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Arnie with Paul. It was a nice day and we spent some time outdoors with radio controlled cars and a football.
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Paul, Allison and I teamed up for a game of Pictionary.
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Paul is quite the artist. Allison had no trouble figuring out what he was drawing.
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The team of Arnie and Rebecca won the game. I strongly suspect there might have been some cheating. Cherie and Shirley made up the other team, but since Shirley took most of these pictures, I didn't get a shot of them.
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| Christmas in Columbia |
Now we come to Christmas in Columbia. Jennifer with Charlie and her friend Sidney out in the snow.
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Charlie and Clayton are decorating cookies, a Christmas tradition.
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Charlie modeling her new Christmas outfit.
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Checking out some of those presents. I'm not exactly sure of what this is. I just know it's covering up an extremely cute face.
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See what I mean... CUTE FACE!
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Charlie is a renown expert at opening presents. Here scoping out the loot.
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A closer look.
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Clayton and Charlie cutting up.
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