When we moved to Massachusetts we missed that annual party so much! Not to mention the daily interaction with our best friends. Fortunately, when we moved here to Washington we were once again in drivable range to visit Idaho.
Last year we were able to attend the annual party for the first time since moving away from Idaho. This weekend we had a great time as we celebrated together again!
This time we also invited the Thruernagle family to join us. We were good friends with them as well and found ourselves wondering why this was the first year they were invited. Sadly, the Thuernagles will be moving to Ohio for 4 years, so it may be awhile before we get together with them again.
Here are some photos:
Kids coloring as we get dinner ready -
The 3 stooges...ooops, I mean Ryan and his best friends Tom and Steve, making stuffed mushrooms. (Just one of the traditions of our Holiday party. Among others are Steve's cheeseball, Emily's punch and of course, Martinelli's at dinner!)
We had 18 people around the table this year!
Another tradition - The Riley Right gift exchange story. One year, Steve made up a story about "Riley Right" (Riley Davis was the first child born to our group.). We exchanged little gifts as we passed them left and right during the telling of the story. It was so much fun, that Steve makes up a new story each year for the exchange. Now that the kids are old enough to enjoy it, we have two stories. One for the kids to exchange kid-type gifts and one for the grown-ups. This is during the kid's exhange.
The next day we let the kids make crafts.
Here is Cadi showing the bead necklace she was making.
Timmy Davis, striking "his" pose, wearing his necklace. (Timmy's mom says he was trying to look like Rudolf this year:lol:.)
The Thuenagle Family (Sherrie, Andy, Taylor, Rachel, and Brooklyn)
The Davis Family (Laura, Tom, Riley, Nathan, and Timothy)
The Roser Family (I hope you know who we are!)
Disclaimer - We didn't get a picture of the Mascheks, but they promised to e-mail us a picture and when they do, I'll post it!
We had such a wonderful time! We miss our friends so much and it is always like going home when we see them again.
2 comments:
Mom commented 12/22/04:
Friends are such a treasure! I am glad that you are able to maintain your close ties and have these special times together. What fun times and traditions.
I want to know more about the Riley Right Gift Exchange stories.
I commented 12/22/04:
It's one of those "right, left" stories. (Whenever the story has "right" or "left", you pass your gift in that direction.)
Some years all the other kids have cameos in the story too. Others, it's just Riley. He goes on different adventures and they are usually Christmas related. Sometimes it kind of recaps the year, but sometimes its just a funny story with lots of "rights" and "lefts"..and even a couple "across"es. (That gets a little crazy!)
It's alot of fun. The gifts range from truly "gag" gifts to really useful items. All are usually about $5 or under. This year, Ryan and I came home with a box of "Pot of Gold" chocolates and a Christmas kitchen towel and potholder set.
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