Visitors from the South

photo by Nic

We had great participation for our 2013 holiday festivities.
Laurie, Mitch, Spencer and Jack flew up from the tropical Florida Keys for a week of Northern chills and thrills.  Polar Vortex notwithstanding, we all kept warm, safe and entertained, thanks to the generous hospitality of  the Ohio Bunch.
The only absent sibs were Jan, Danny, Stephen ...& families.
You all were missed and very much in our thoughts and prayers.
NEXT year, let's try for 100% perfect attendance. (We aren't getting any younger, you know...)

the "kids table"

Lasagna night at Lois and Chris's new home

Masseur Mitchel attending to Laurie

Mark & Jocy: first guests Christmas Eve at my house

Madison stuck at top of stairs.  Roy carried her down to join the party! 

Christmas Day at Beth and Roy's

winners of the reindeer games

dead dog stockings

expecting couple #1

expecting couple #2

my pepper jelly cream cheese Christmas tree snack

Harry lost top of his $100 head, thus the Santa hat!

the "Oplatky boys" read the traditional Christmas devotion

upstairs

downstairs

waiting( and waiting)  for Beth and Lois's family to arrive!

I thought we said "NO PRESENTS"?!



I nominate  Lois and Chris for 2014!!

Thanksgiving 2013

We gathered together to ask the Lord's blessing.  The usual suspects were in attendance, as you can see in the holiday photos below. 

half of the Kucera brothers (the better half?) Mark, David and Nic

 

Mark and Jocy

Brenton, Cheryl and Bude (David)

Hail, hail, the gangs all here! (can you count the ten people in the picture?)

Roy, Blaze and Beth

Nic, Trevor and Lori

Billy posed with me so I wouldn't feel so "single" (old maid)!

my green bean casserole (before)

 We give thanks for our many blessings and pray for those family and friends who have had a rough year and continue to struggle with financial and health issues.
For those of you who were not able to join us in the festivities, well... we MISSED you and send our love!!

Visit from Aunt Judy and Uncle Gerry

The Muellers (ironically, from Millersville) traveled two days just to visit with us in sunny Ohio. We had a marvelous time, although it was short and sweet.

 I hosted their visit and would love to have had them stay for weeks rather than days.
The St. Louis Cardinals were playing in the world series and we had some fun evenings cheering them on.  Sadly, they lost.
We all gathered sunday afternoon at Lois and Chris's new home and there was plenty of good food and good times had by all.

They never look any older!

outstanding in their fields!  (pun)

moving around the fountains (cheap labor)

Mark's homemade Autumn soup

and baby makes three?  (Four- sorry, Mya!)

sisters times three- Lois, Beth and Judi (missing Laurie)

three generations- Baby Stevie, Sandy and Lori

mystery child

Frankendog

the spread

kitchen crowd

pool closed for the season

baby Stevie Renee Kucera

Brenton is sweet 16

bonding brothers Nic and Bude (David)

sisters-in-law Cheryl and Beth

Aunt Judy and Jocy

Come back, anytime, Aunt Judy and Uncle Gerry... you are always welcome!!!