This year has been a notable year for those of us who share Yount blood. My grandmother (the glue of the family) was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in August, and the last several months have been a winding road of treatments, etc.
We are a close family (still carrying on yearly gatherings after 45 or so years), and a highlight in our year is being together for a couple of days. This year, a few were unable to attend for various reasons, but there were still plenty of us who piled into Germantowne Pizza on Thursday for the ginormous feast. :-) I didn't take many pics because I was starting into what became laryngitis, and I just didn't feel all that great.
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| Some of the kiddos ready for Thanksgiving dinner! |
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My sister and her hubs opened their home to us. We had
so much fun! Thanks, guys, for a comfy, cozy place. |
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Traditionally, the great grandkids (at least the younger ones)
sing choruses and carols. This year, after they were finished,
they filed by grandma to each give her a hug. It was a special time. |
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Jonathon and Uncle John had a birthday on Thanksgiving day.
Jonathon had fun with some of the gag gifts my mom brought him.
Notice how good grandma looks. Wish I had taken more pics of her. |
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Uncle John with one of his granddaughters.
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On Black Friday, I was feeling really nasty, and had totally lost my voice, but one of my favorite things to do that day in Cincinnati is shop with my cousin Jennifer, and sometimes my sister comes along. This time the three of us hit the road a little before 5 a.m., and boy did we shop! :-)
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We started early with Starbucks, but ended up at
Chik-fil-A and then Panera before it was over! |
The day after the holiday, my cousin's restaurant is open for business again, so we all pile in at Grandma's. We always hope for good weather, 'cause it can get a little crazy in her 1500 sq. ft. house! This year (uh oh) Roto Rooter had to come out. :-)
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Kaitlynn and Aubrey watch, along with a couple of their
great uncles, as the machine does its job. |
That afternoon, Jonathon treated all the guys to a round of golf! Ryan and Evan don't have many first cousins their age, but they definitely make up for it with plenty of male great uncles and second cousins that love to have fun. They we able to go golfing with the guys, and that made their day. :-)
Friday evening, we headed downtown Cincy for the tree lighting in the square. It was really cold, but so festive!
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| The fireworks were great! |
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| Beautiful tree! |
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| What's more classic than Santa at Macy's? |
Later on that night, a bunch of us met up at GBS gym for pizza and basketball. Not everyone came out, but we crowded up the gym pretty well. :-)
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| Krystal and Jennifer had a game going for the kids. |
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| Kaitlynn and Sophia |
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| My cousin Janel...she's cute and classy. :-) |
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Kaitlynn and Whitney (Whitney gets her name from her great-
grandpa and grandma - Rev. A.J. Whitney) |
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| Evan in his M gear. |
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Valerie works with Aubrey and Alli and their volleyball skills.
Alli didn't want to quit. She volleyed to me for a long time
after that! |
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| Some of the great-grandkids |
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Plenty of pizza for all! Aunt Ruth always makes sure everyone
has a full belly. I think it's her calling. :-) |
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Love this pic of one of Sarah Ann's little guys.
He was serious about his pizza!
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On Saturday, we were planning to meet up at Grandma's again to say our goodbyes, but her realtor was showing her house early in the afternoon, so we shifted over to Craig and Alisa's a few blocks away.
We had such a good Thanksgiving, and I'm so thankful that God gave my grandma strength to host everyone. Of course, she had lots of help (always does), but she looked stronger this year than she has in a couple of years, and she enjoyed the gathering so much! Hopefully her house will sell soon, and we will be able to be closer to her and make sure she has company and has her needs met as the days move forward.
One of the families we missed this year was my Aunt Sarah, Uncle Jerry, Jason, and Jeremy & Andrea and their family. This was because Andrea was almost ready to give birth to their 5th little one! She has since had Laila Rose, and they are lookin' great!
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