For at least 25 years, my parents have celebrated Christmas with a Bingo game. They traveled a lot and would pick up things here and there. So, they came upon the idea to have a Bingo party where after winning a game a family member could select from a group of presents the gift they would like the most.
Our mother has been gone for almost 11 years this May, but my father wanted to carry on the tradition. To be honest, many of the kids are more excited for the Bingo game than Christmas Eve. So, my sister Natalie and I were assigned by our father to continue buying gifts.
This year my father had 94 people in attendance with enough gifts for the entire group to win three games each! He is so very generous!!!
Great Grandpa Ray with six of his great-grandchildren
Our father always wants the picture of our mother right beside him. Wasn't she just beautiful?!
Whenever I would go home to visit Dad, I would see Mother's wedding veil just laying around in a drawer.
So, for Christmas, I arranged the veil in a shadow box and presented it to Dad for Christmas.
This is a picture of Camille and Alison (our niece who has lived abroad for nine years--three years in Paris, France, and six years in Shanghai, China-and moved this summer to Danville, CA, just thrilled that she could attend the party this year.)
Hillary, our daughter-in-law with two-month-old Liam
My sister Beverly and her granddaughter
Close cousins and new mothers!
My sister Laura and her oldest son Kevin
Kevin and his wife Angie, who was in charge of the wonderful dinner
My niece and her soon-to-be husband
Laura and her daughter
The all-important room full of Bingo gifts
My grandsons who have never attended a Bingo game because of living on the East Coast
The lunch was just delicious--turkey, ham, church potatoes, all kinds of salads, rolls and dessert.
After dinner, Tom led all of us in a few Christmas carols
Our son-in-law, Sabe, has never been to the Bingo game, along with Isabella. The last one Jennifer attended was about eight years ago.
Five fun-darling girls!
Recently returned missionary Taylor with his sister and girlfriend
Another tradition--everyone gets to guess how much money in the jar. Tom was the winner! He guessed around $76 and was only a few cents off. (Cohen was a little sick that day!)
My brother Jerry and his wife Shelly and their son Jace with his girlfriend
Because of their move to Eagle, ID, Michele, Brian and their six children were able to attend the party! It has been years and years since they last attended! Michele with her youngest, Channing!
Handsome, happy Tyler!
Our oldest grandson, Jaden, with Rita, our Taiwanese daughter
My father and six of his seven children
4/5 sisters with 2 sister-in-laws!
These Bingo parties have been not only a tradition, but a family reunion at Christmas time where we meet, enjoy being together catching up on the latest family news, babies, engagements, and the party gives our father something to look forward to. This is his Christmas now without Mother. We don't know how many more years we will meet this way--Dad turns 90 in April--but I have a feeling we will carry on the tradition in our own families!
5 comments:
You did such a great job getting pictures, even when you were so busy in the room with all the presents. Yes, truly this has been such a fun tradition that the entire family enjoys. Thanks to you and Natalie for all your hard work in choosing such fun and useful gifts. No one went away disappointed. And thanks for getting Mother's veil in a beautiful shadowbox like you did. That is just a priceless treasure!
I absolutely loved this day! I only wished my family could have been with me to meet and reunite with the greatest Rigby family. A big Thank you to you Joyce for all you did to make it a success!!
Shoot, we sure missed out on a lot didn't we?! what another great post momma! I cannot believe how grown up everyone is! The sweetest picture was of Cohen....something about a sick little boy just melts my heart...in a sad, "i want to cuddle you" kind of way...poor little guy.
Have fun in Hawaiiiiiiii....you travelin woman you!
Heather, we surely did miss seeing you and your family this Christmas. You are always fun to be with!! The Bingo party was a huge success for our family as well, thanks to the great food from Laura's family and the gifts shopped for by you, Natalie and even some Dad helped pick out.
I also thoroughly enjoyed being with our siblings in the family meeting. It is pretty impressive to meet and have such good feelings exist in the group.
Also, like Laura said, the way you fixed the shadow box was beautifully done to preserve what Mother took such great care of all those years.
Thanks for the great memories through your photos.
I'm so glad we made it this year. What a fun tradition. Grandpa Rigby is so generous and my kids will never want to miss this!
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