Rigby Family Christmas Party

Probably about 25 years ago when my mother was still alive, my parents decided to do a very special Christmas party for the family.  It was becoming increasingly difficult to individualize the Christmas gifts for each family member even though the family didn't include the 143 family members as it does now.  However, there were still quite a few when you consider seven children, their spouses, and the grandchildren.  Their decision:  Have a dinner together . . .
 

With such a large group of people, we now hold it in a church multi-purpose room.

 

My sister, Beverly, was in charge of the food this year as she has done for many years, and again, did a great job.  My daughter-in-law, Angie (on the left), helped with the table decorations.

 
Family members who helped set up the food:
Natalie, Rachel, Erin, Hilary, and Andrea

 

I loved this idea.  Matt, Joyce's son-in-law, got a little rope and had a bunch of the little kids hang on to it while he led them throughout the area to view the present room, then all the food. 

  

When some of them saw their Grandpa Doug, they rushed over to give him a hug.

 

 

This is a time for everyone to mingle.  (My brother, Blair, with George.  What do you bet they are talking about BYU sports?!)

 

 get to know the latest additions in the family (darling twin sons of my nephew Brian and his wife Adrea held by Adrea and my daughter-in-law, Angie.)

and then have a program where my dad usually has comments about the family and how happy he is to have everyone together for the Christmas season.

 

 

 

 

Me with my dad and sister, Beverly.

 

George listening to my dad while holding our little grandson, Cannon who has Menkes disease.

We then play Bingo where everyone gets a chance to choose their own Christmas gift.  I don't know why I didn't take a picture of the present room.  It is always piled high with presents for every age and every interest. 

 My granddaughters, Lauren, Ella, and Hannah handed out the Bingo cards. 

  Cousins Austin, Connor, and Nate have their cards ready--plus a basketball for when there's any waiting time.  Can't waste those precious basketball moments!

 Ella concentrated so hard in order not to miss a single number.

 Hannah's first choice of gifts--an Eiffel Tower.  Too bad she was too young to visit the Eiffel Tower in person when the rest of her family visited John and Alison when they lived in Paris for three years.  

 And the fun just keeps on going.  Usually everyone gets to go into the gift room at least three times.

  

 Ethan and Kade, two of my grandsons.  They were inseparable the entire night.

 See what I mean about the basketballs never being far away from whatever they were doing. 

Cousins Nate and Austin.

Those Copelands just can't keep from watching BYU sports, even at a party.  Kevin and George started with a small group watching . . .

which grew to a giant group! 

The little kids waited in line to thank Great Grandpa Rigby for the wonderful Christmas party.

Little Cannon wasn't too happy at the moment, but my dad hadn't seen him for a year, so we definitely wanted a picture with them together.

Hannah with Great Grandpa.

McKay, my sister Joyce's grandson, with Great Grandpa.

Seeing my dad so happy with so many family members around made us all thrilled that he enjoyed the get-together so much.

My youngest sister, Natalie, and her husband, Mark, with my dad.  They are proud new in-laws as their oldest son was just married the day before this party to his girlfriend who he wrote the entire two years he was on his Mormon mission to Hawaii.  Congratulations to Corbin and Britney!  Because I had to work and couldn't leave Florida until after the school day on Friday, George and I missed the wedding, but everyone said the the wedding and reception were perfect! 

The party was now over and, of course, the boys spent their time playing basketball while the clean-up was taking place.

These Copeland kids take playing basketball very serious!

My sister, Joyce, with my dad.  She helped my dad purchase the hundreds of gifts for the party.  It is always such an immense project at a very busy time of year, but she does such a great job of it.  Ordinarily my sister, Natalie, also helps, but with the wedding the day before, she had many other things to do for that, so Joyce did it herself this year. 

My dad and me.  With such a keen mind and relatively good health, no one would ever guess that he is 88 years young!

So, here are the siblings going from youngest to oldest:  Natalie, Beth, Blair, our dad, Jerry, Joyce, Beverly, and me.  (Yes, I am the oldest!) 

Ella and Hannah say, "Good-bye" to Great Grandpa.  Everyone had another wonderful Rigby Family Christmas party.  Thanks, Dad, for all you do for our family.  We love you!