Five Months To Christmas

The 'real' Christmas is five months from today, always a busy, stressful, time of the year. Weather during December can add to the stress, as can scheduling conflicts between in-laws, exes, etc. in trying to decide where to go when more than one celebration is on the same day or even time of day.

Moving our family Christmas get-together to July has taken almost all those stresses away. We had our Fourth Annual Christmas in July last weekend and it was hugely delightful. The only scheduling conflict was the start of RAGBRAI which kept one couple from attending.

The weather could not have been any more perfect - especially for July - temperature in the low 80's, low humidity, nice breezes.

Son, Preston, and daughter-in-law, Shalea, were this year's hosts.

They reserved the Middle River Park Shelter on the Southeast edge of Winterset for this year's rendezvous, which was a great place to meet. (Photo from Madison County Conservation Board.)

Great-grandson, Greyson loves strawberries. I told him Juliet was bringing them. "There's the woman with the strawberries" I pointed out when she arrived. He went running to her. Um-m, I mean, to the strawberries. ☺

Big brother, Ayden, likes strawberries, too.

Bud looking on as his son, Mark, and partner, Juliet, meet Iowa grandkids -granddaughter Deise and her boyfriend Hunter and grandson Devin and his girlfriend Linzie.

Oldest grandson, Brock and his wife, Jennifer. Granddaughter Alyssa with her back to camera and her son, Maverick, in stroller.

Grandson Ki and great-grandson, Greyson.

Eager gift game players awaiting the opening of the next present. "Is it something I want to steal?" From left, granddaughter Katrina holding great-granddaughter, Brynley, her stepson, Michael next to Brock. Seated in front, Jennifer, her daughter, Brianna, daughter-in-law Shelly, son, Douglas, daughter, Kari and great-grandson Rodney with his back to camera.
Cute note: After the game was over and all the gifts had been opened, stolen, fought over, Rodney was heard to say (as he dejectedly walked away), "This number hasn't been good to me." (The number he drew to see in what order they chose a gift.)

Granddaughter Deise and her cousin, our great-granddaughter, Lily. These are the two Grandpa Bud calls his hippy chicks.

Deise and Greyson racing. Ayden rode the big wheel around and around almost the whole day, yet I didn't get a picture of him on it!

Cousins Katrina and Ki introducing the next generation, Brynley and Greyson, to one another.

With his own personal fan, he's one cool kid, youngest great-grandchild, Maverick.

After all the food, fun and festivities, it was time to nap. I have to admit, I did the same thing on the way home. It really was a great day. Celebrating Christmas in July is a family tradition I'm glad we started.