November 15, 2005 7:52 AM
Thanksgiving at our house
Here is a picture of last Thanksgiving:
Key:
The W's are grandchildren by our oldest daughter and wonderful son-in-law Kip; the R's are grandchildren by our second oldest daughter Jasmine and equally wonderful son-in-law Nathan:
Patrick W (11), Andrew W (9), Trinity W (4), Katy R (4), Christian R (5), Daniel (9), Matt (20), Josh (22), Samantha and Kip Walraven, Barbara and Tripp, Jesse (10), Jasmine and Nathan Rodgers, Sophia (15), Ben (19), Zach (17), Justin (5), Jeffrey W (7), Gabby R (7), Jonny (13), Timmy W (13), Maddy (12)
Background:
Though we often have Sunday dinner together (we aim for every Sunday, but soccer games, snow, and sickness can keep us apart), we can't all fit at the same table and so we tend to have grownups in the dining room and kids in the kitchen. At Thanksgiving, we bring all the tables into the family room and run them through the arch Nathan built into the kitchen.
Last year, I prepared for this picture by putting a ladder in the kitchen, learning how to use the timer on my camera, and setting the shot. We called everyone to the table and I gave strict instructions on staring at the camera no matter what happened. I must admit they were very good about it, considering that I pressed the button on the camera, then literally ran all the way down to the head of the table in time to smile for the picture. Not once, but five times.
As everyone with more than a couple kids knows, it is almost impossible to get a shot with everyone looking at the camera. Make that 12 kids and 9 grandkids and you will know that I just have to deal with imperfection. This was the best of all the shots and the only one where you could see every head. At least that's what I thought until the next day when I realized that Jasmine and Nathan's new baby Lizzie was not in sight. I think Jazz was holding her.
Well, I'll make sure she's in this year's - which will have the same cast except perhaps Matt, who I don't think will come home (great sadness and tears). Big changes in 2006 will be newlyweds Josh and Hattie and another new Rodgers baby.
Posted in Big families, Holidays, Thanksgiving | Permalink
Comments
What riches! Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: swissmiss | November 15, 2005 8:36 AM
My thoughts exactly. That Barbara Curtis is a rich woman.
Posted by: Julana | November 15, 2005 11:00 AM
Oh WOW, that is just so awesome! What a beautiful picture. I can't believe you got that many people to look at the camera at the same time. I have just 3 kids (so far) and I have the hardest time getting them to all look at the same time. Especially my 1 year old!
Anyway your story about getting this picture really made me laugh!
Posted by: Crystal | November 15, 2005 11:48 AM
Wow. I would ask for leftovers but it would appear by looking at the picture that there wouldn't be any.
You have one heck of a beautiful and LARGE family
Cheers,
B
Posted by: BStrong | November 15, 2005 1:05 PM
Beautiful, in every way! I got teary-eyed looking at this picture. You are so blessed.
And I love the image of you *running* down to your spot!
Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: mopsy | November 15, 2005 5:29 PM
What a great bunch! Never a dull moment at your house : )
Hey Barbara, what is the black thing on the mantel?
Posted by: floorplan | November 15, 2005 6:48 PM
Thanks everyone. I wasn't fishing for compliments, it's just that people wonder what it's like with so many people in the house!
I'll tell you this - it's very difficult to eat a warm meal. Notice this was taken before we'd finished cooking (even before we put out the silverware). Some of the younger kids were - well, let's say a little disturbed when we told them to leave the table after the picture :)
Deb, the black thing on the mantel is a statue of a fairy reading a book in her lap. Tripp got it for me before we were Christians so even though it isn't something we'd gravitate to now, since it has a "love reading" theme it has stayed. The statue on the cabinet on the left is a boy kneeling with a book in front of him and his face lifted to heaven. I also save any pictures I run across of people reading and put them in inexpensive frames all around at kid level.
Posted by: barbaracurtis | November 15, 2005 7:33 PM
You have a beautiful family! You also have alot to give thanks for this Thanksgiving LOL
Posted by: peggy | November 15, 2005 7:56 PM
I love it, Barbara! Someday, Lord willing, that will be me!
Posted by: Holly | November 15, 2005 11:10 PM
You're a blessed woman to have that many children!
Posted by: D. Goodmanson | November 15, 2005 11:53 PM
I chuckled at the image of you running back and forth! What a beautiful family!
Posted by: Mel | November 16, 2005 12:54 AM
So, I am jealous, in a good way of course :) That looks like SO much fun!
Posted by: Amie | November 16, 2005 7:29 AM
Thanks for satisfying my curiosity, Barbara. And for adding the extra info, because I actually thought the left statues are 3 turkeys; the middle one, plucked naked. HA! This seemed very normal to me, since you love to laugh : )
that's funny that the kids were disturbed to leave the table, just like a kid isn't it!
Posted by: floorplan | November 16, 2005 9:15 AM
That pic made me tear up (and then some). Awesome.
Posted by: Carol | November 16, 2005 9:56 AM
Thanks for allowing us a glimpse into your blessed life... I'm so inspired by all your insights and your upbeat joy filled perspective on life. It encourages me. When I noted the picture on the "your turkey experiance" post "Freedom From Want" I had to research a bit to see what it was all about. I read the speach that FDR wrote, inspiring Norman Rockwell.I'm going to order the 4 freedom posters by N.R. to put up for the holidays.
Posted by: Angela H. | November 16, 2005 1:05 PM
I looooooooove this photo of your family!
Posted by: TulipGirl | November 20, 2005 11:16 PM
