Christmas parade

This was one year where Christmas day was so very different. We had a good breakfast together and then waited until after the afternoon parade to eat our big meal. But our MAIN Christmas meal was held on Sunday when the entire family was together. On Christmas day, we were still missing one family. They planned to join us Saturday night.

We witnessed the annual parade held on Christmas day. It is very unique and I don't think there's any other parade like it. Where else would you find the crowd being mostly Amish and Mennonites? And if you aren't one of them, then at least you're a descendant.

Cousin Jr. rode in line with is fine 'catch' and cheerful smile.

This fleet advertised soft pretzels with one hanging from a fishing line off the boat.

This is an excellent restaurant to visit although we didn't eat there this time.

I wonder how many oranges and clementines this farm market gave away. I do know that all of a sudden a handful was coming my way and I had to be ready to catch even with a camera in hand.

Our 4 and 13 year children got walloped on their heads with an orange. Landon cried because it hurt. Allison said too that it hurt. Yet we were thankful for a nice basket full of free fruit. And we were happy to buy some before we left.

This truck had a rough time making the turn. He had to go forward and reverse just like you need to do in driving school.

Parade over.

And then who did we see coming but my Mom's cousins. This is a very familiar scene in this part of the nation in the winter time.

After the parade, my husband's parents met Levi who had been suggesting to them that he hadn't been invited anywhere for a Christmas dinner and just jokingly Mom said, "Why don't you come for a meal?"

Wouldn't you know he showed up and declared, "You didn't think I'd come, did you?"

Of course she hadn't and so she was in for a surprise.

I was reminded that we are to invite even the least of these my brethren. We are to include those people we'd rather not have at our house. And I'm not suggesting that's what Mom thought. But I was blessed to see how he thoroughly enjoyed being included with our Christmas supper and evening activities.

Wouldn't we treat Jesus in that way? Or would we have treated Him differently? As we'd treat Jesus, that's how we should treat others. When it comes right down to it, it may be harder than we thought it would be. Think about it.

Oh, we think we'd have some fine china and gourmet cuisine with Jesus, but would we do that for the drunk or slum that's living on the street? In the same way, that's how you treat Jesus - to the least of these my brethren, you have done it to Me.

Before we ate supper of ham and potatoes, Danny and Dad took Levi's sophisticated car for a spin.

And they had a trip.

We enjoyed playing Rook, .....

dominoes, and golf with Rook cards, ......

.....and of course, the popular game of Settlers. Zach was thrilled to be included.

We didn't exchange gifts, not that we're against it. In the past several years, both Merv's and my families have kinda gotten away from the commercialism of Christmas. The entire holiday season is more relaxing because we don't have the stress of buying presents or beating the crowd. We all love it.

Instead of getting gifts, we've opted to give gifts to those less fortunate whether through Christian Aid Minitstries, Samaritan's Purse, or other outlets.

But Mom did have a gift for the boys which was the coast guard Lego set and it entertained them for the rest of the afternoon and evening.