James Christmas Gathering ~ 2015

Oh my WORD - what an amazing Christmas!
And never mind that I'm more than two months late on posting this... still something I want memorialized in the blog archives.
I always feel like it's Christmas when my brothers bring their families home to Texas, and this time, it really was Christmas. Trey and Amy's crew from Alpharetta, Chris and Crystal's crew from Bozeman, and Luke and Julie's crew from Tulsa.
Two grandparents, 8 grown "kids," and 15 grandchildren.
As Cappy likes to say, never a dull moment.

Here we go!!!
One of our two overflowing carts... and that's just from Costco
 We spent the first few days at the lake and 7R just to get away once everyone got into town.
Board games are always in demand at the lake
Patient (and a tad competitive) Uncle Luke
Basden started off reading just to Blakely, but her audience quickly expanded
Branson enjoyed being a girl magnet
And the magnetism continues...
Did I say never a dull moment?
Where's Brantley?

My favorite lake activity ~ talking around the fire
Catfish, anyone??
Cappy's gift of storytelling in action
Naomi, Payton (I think!) and Scarlett
Uncle Christian with his ready smile
Ashlyn on a treasure hunt
Marshall ~ I'd give a penny for his thoughts
Broderick and Naomi


Brantley and his Cappy
Is that a catfish or a shark?!
 Daboo set up horse rides at 7R ~ a gorgeous morning with gorgeous horses!



 
Uncle Christian in his element
Broderick and Essie
 
 

- Santa brought a few gifts early to the lake
Daboo in her element

Cowtown Cousins sweatshirts for all
We heart Taco Casa
Basden and Aunt Julie
Brantley and Essie ~ quite a pair
Lotsa Blakely love!
Essie and Bogan ~ our other set of twins. 6 days apart.
I honestly don't know which twin this is. But it doesn't matter because I love them both.
- Back at Bourland to enjoy Christmas Eve and Christmas day
Love that Alicia joined us
Sic Em!
Christmas Nail stories
Cappy's airplane rides were the highlight!
Cap and Basden
Uncle Trey helping Essie get settled
Bran gets a turn at co-pilot
Pretty fun outing with Cappy
Zipping around in Cap's Panoz
- For better or for worse, electronic devices are here to stay. Especially in this gadget family.
Hud and Marshall ~ electronic Battleship
So glad we snapped some family pictures ~ proof that we were all together, but sure makes me miss all these amazing people I love.
The original six
super crew of cousins
Basden in heaven with sweet Blakely
Broderick, Essie, Bogan
A few good men
Corbin was back at work ~ sad he missed these pics!
Me, Mom and my sisters-in-love
Grateful for a beautiful week, a beautiful Christmas holiday, and our beautiful family.
Will end with this text from my friend (and forever mentor) Darby after seeing her at the Christmas Eve service ~  she sent this in response to seeing all of the James cousins running around in the foyer together. We'll take it as truth ~ trusting God with our family and Him as our mentor, our children's mentor:

Comments

Sarah said…
Wow! What a legacy your parents have... And this will be you and Corbin in just a few years ;) Love all the pictures!