November 27, 2009 12:57 PM
A very Curtis Thanksgiving
We have a tradition of doing family photos at Thanksgiving - and since we are a big family and big groups do better in one color, we coordinate each year. This year was red. It was also hectic because with two married sons, we defer to our daughters-in-law's families and try to schedule around them. Ben and Anna came on Tuesday night, but had to leave at 11:00 am Thanksgiving morning. So the Walravens (my oldest daughter's family) and the Curtises (Josh and Hattie) arrived at 10:30 for the picture. I had planned in advance to make it go as smoothly as possible. I don't like to try my family's patience with this whole ordeal which I'm not sure means as much to them as it means to me.
I have a great camera but have not mastered much about it (one of my dreams is to take a photography course if I can ever find the time). But here are a few of the best shots:
Our official 2009 Family Photo:
Then we have the unofficial one where everyone does something weird:
Another setting:
The Walravens:
The Curtises (Josh and Hattie):
The aunties with my granddaughter Trinity:
The Curtises currently living at home:
My first Four-in-a-Row Boys:
My newest granddaughter - adopted last year from Guatemala:
And, finally, our traditional sitting down at the table shot:
Posted in Family, My life, Thanksgiving | Permalink
Comments
As the mom of eight, I so look forward to having a picture like that some day!! Your family is so beautiful and bright red with the natural green background is so festive!!! Thank you for sharing them with us!
Posted by: Jill S | November 27, 2009 1:49 PM
I love the pictures!! I agree that the moms enjoy the pictures more than the kids. :) My kids are always like, "Aren't we done yet?" when I suggest yet another pose (we have 8 kids). I never knew about large groups dressing in the same color. I'll have to try that this year. Thanks for sharing your family with us. I always enjoy seeing the pictures and hearing about their lives.
Posted by: Lisa | November 27, 2009 3:41 PM
Dear Barbara and Tripp, I You have a beautiful family. I know how hard you have worked to get it to be like this. I've heard your story. You came to our home for dinner many years ago during MCC days and shared some of your journey. You both have been incredibly Blessed, but I'm sure that one of the reasons is because you both Tripp and you Barbara were on the same page, or at least grew to be on the same page. Ron and I have been married 43 years. your lives and ours are very different even though Ron and I both grew up in families of lots of "Drink" I was Blessed with a Mother who searched and searched until she discovered who Jesus is and accepted Him as Lord and savior of her life. My Dad came later...Melissa has had many many issues mostly behavior and dealing with them has been very hard. I am not really complaining just telling you that you've done a great job with you kids and because Jesus has been the center and you and tripp have worked together your family is amazing....Your sweet "Downzers" are just precious and I'm sure their life will be full and happy....Families should be like yours but most are not even those of us who have Jesus as our center.....God Bless you Tripp and Barbara and your Beautiful Family. Those who standing away, will return. I appreciate your "Mommy Life" and read it everyday. Much love in Jesus Becky Wold
Posted by: Rebecca Wold | November 27, 2009 5:18 PM
what a gorgeous family you have!! and how gracious you are to lend yours to the in-laws family!! :) I have truly enjoyed reading your blog since meeting you at Glenn beck's show, in my living room. :) Praise be to Jesus!!!
Posted by: tereza crump AKA MyTreasuredCreations | November 27, 2009 8:28 PM
Those pictures are great! What a beautiful family.
Your Walraven grandson standing on the far right of the first picture jumped right out at me as most definitely related to you-- his face is so similar!
How is Hattie? (Goodness! I sound nosy. But you know we were praying for her a while back!)
Posted by: Marian | November 27, 2009 9:56 PM
BEAUTIFUL!
Posted by: Kathy Brodock | November 27, 2009 10:19 PM
I love that big table shot! That's what a family looks like. I try to do family pictures at Thanksgiving, but failed this year, and about every other year, for that matter! You're right, it doesn't seem to mean as much to them as to we mothers, but that's our burden, I suppose. Thank you for the continued inspiration!
Posted by: angie | November 27, 2009 10:33 PM
You have a freakishly atractive family. I mean it. It's just not normal for everyone in one family to look like that.
Posted by: Amy K. | November 28, 2009 4:51 AM
Thank you for sharing your lovely photos. You have a big, beautiful family. Just looking at those made me smile. Happy Thanksgiving from Japan!
Posted by: Sue | November 28, 2009 5:14 AM
Lovely photos! I know what a flurry of activity there must be in such a big family especially on special occasions (and you mentioned it in a previous post), but why don't you or any of them look "harassed" at all?? Must be the love :-)
Your granddaughter from Guatemala is so charming.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Posted by: Sunnyday | November 28, 2009 7:47 AM
What great pictures - thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Elle | November 28, 2009 8:12 AM
I don't know why, but these brought a tear to my eye! Abundantly blessed Barbara! So very abundantly blessed!! :)
Kristy in Germany.
Mom to Julia, age 7
Megan, age 6
Joey, age 3
Charlotte age 1
P.S. I wanted to tell you, finally this year we were able to do the "5 Kernals of Corn" tradition! My children said it was their favorite part of the whole evening and asked to do it "everyday!" The things they said were so absolutely sweet and pure, that we stopped halfway through and video taped the rest. It really blessed my heart, and I thought it may bless yours too. Thanks for all you do! :)
Posted by: Kristy in Germany | November 30, 2009 4:47 AM
Gorgeous family!!!!
Posted by: Erin | December 1, 2009 8:22 AM
