Christmas Celebration at the Moyle's

After our Christmas morning visit at Jeff's, we joined the convergence of the Moyle family at Judy Moyle's, as has been one of our treasured Christmas traditions. The big Christmas tree it there with presents for the extended family including the nine Moyle grandchildren (three of whom are also our grandchildren). These nine have known and spent a lot of time with each other since they were born.

The Moyle home is a welcoming place, certainly for the grandchildren. Judy settles into her recliner and watches a couchful of grandchildren, five of the nine. Ashleigh and Jordan Nave, Bethany and Lindsey Moyle, and Caleb Wells. Note that three of the five have in earbuds so they can wirelessly listen to their smart phones.

OK, now we have seven of the nine grandchildren. L-R Ashleigh and Jordan Nave, Bethany and Lindsey Moyle, Caleb Wells, Elyse Nave and Josiah Wells.

We visited around a fine meal which I guess you would call a brunch and then the young ones started gathering in the living room where the gifts were.

Josiah had been carrying around this big empty box, so his Uncle Jeff Moyle stuffed him in it. He got out alright, and was still playing with it as we gathered. Jessica Ringo had added number eight grandchild.

With the arrival of Jonathan Ringo, that is all nine grandchildren present and accounted for. Jeff and Jonathan have a lot to talk about since Jonathan just graduated from the Police Academy and is working for the Sheriff's Department. Mark was with us for this gift exchange for the first time since Jordan was a baby, so we were glad he could get to see the big family.

With the group gathered, there was anticipation of some gifts coming out from under the Christmas tree.

Bethany and Jordan had staked out their spot on the fireplace hearth early, and now Darla and Leslie joined them. The gifts were beginning to circulate.

Joshua and Caleb open gifts with Robby and Diane recording with their phone cameras. Lindsey, Elyse and Tom observe.

Jeff and Robby take photos, Josiah, Lindsey, Caleb, Elyse, Ashleigh participate with their gifts, and finally Bethany's little dog seems to enjoy the whole process. It made friends with everyone.

On the fireplace side are Bethany, Jordan, Darla, Leslie, Jeff and Diane. Everyone was just relaxing and enjoying the fellowship.

We were glad that Mark could stay around for the fine Brunch and the wild session of gift giving with the whole family.

A gift of towels? I think this towel and sheet thing was a conspiracy of the grandparent generation. Better look inside those towels!

Caleb and Josiah Wells - both have grown dramatically in the past year!

Bethany is in college in Hattiesburg now and living in a house with two housemates and also this lovely little dog which made friends with everybody. I understood that she got her from a shelter, but she is very well behaved!

Caleb Wells certainly seems pleased to posed with his two cousins Lindsey and Bethany Moyle!

After the gift exchange and before dinner, some went outside and some gathered in the weight room for exercise. But the little dog liked it inside on the soft carpet under the Christmas tree.

On the road behind them are Jeff's police truck and Mark's work truck. The weather was pleasant enough to get outside for conversations in the front yard.

We were pleased that Mark and Jeff had a good bit of time to talk. They have a lot of common interests, but don't get that much time together. Mark had to leave about mid afternoon to drive back to Atlanta, but we were happy to have had that much time for him with the whole family.

We got all the grands in the house for our traditional grandchildren picture. L-R back three Bethany Moyle, Jordan Nave, Ashleigh Nave. Middle row Jonathan Ringo, Elyse Nave, Caleb Wells, Lindsey Moyle, Jessica Ringo. In front, Josiah Wells.

After that we went right back to playful things and Caleb and Elyse try a balancing act with each other.

We gathered for a fine family meal. We had a solid table that Robby had constructed. And an abundance of fine food!

This year there was a second Christmas tree in the dining room area.

We filled the dining room around the big tree and enjoyed the cooking of many of the family members.