The Haircut....

It all started well at Bob's Precision Haicutters and Psych Shop as Eloise came in for a cut......

..........so far........so good........UNTIL.........

.........that intimadating black cape............

....and finally....

...it's over......

............she begins to recoup her composure........

............and finally the beautiful finished product!

Skybus Awaits....

.........and so at 4 AM I pick up Meg and the girls for the early morning trek to Port Columbus. Efficient Meg has everyone packed, boarding passes purchased and stands in line to check baggage.

Hailey and Alyssa have their own monogramed travel bags.

..................so off they go............

We had a wonderful time, Meg. Having all four kids together gave us a lot to be Thankful for.

Supper and Christmas at the Weavers....

The family gathering moves from house to house. Here the family gathers at the Wes Weavers to enjoy a meal and Chrismas celebration while th out of State/Country visitos are here. Above....Mel, Heather and Eloise enjoy time together.

.............then Seth and Eloise....

....Claudia....... a fireplace hanging......................

.............Meg..........French salt and pepper..........

..............Uncle Bob..........A French Cheese Board in the shape of...............you guessed it.........FRANCE!

........Sam....a new shirt....a new girly pink shirt.......OK ...Maybe Not!

........Eloise.....a new animal book.....

......and the queens of cute!

Last Evening The Kids And I Were Invited To Wes's Domain For Some Ping Pong

..........Wes is the most up to date Ping Pong Guru among us...... He heads up a Ping Pong Club as an extra curricular High School activity. He plays extensively and keeps his skills sharpened.........

........It was fun to just hang out together and battle it out in a favorite family sport..........

............Seth possesses a fierce backhand and tenacious concentration.......

.........Mel.......has amazing timing and a love of competition.......she gives us all we can handle.........

...........Sam........backhands.....forehands.......spikes.......the full package.............

Fierce Competition Prevailed....

....and in the end.....

......my wife discloses to me last night before retireing that one of these boys......who will remain nameless but can be seen in this picture .........and resides in France.....said to her before going out the door to play......"I'm going to kick Dad's butt..."

......needless to say....

............HE (NOR THEY) DID NOT!

The Gathering.....

For those of you who are regular blog followers but not family members.....I beg your indulgence......THIS IS ABOUT OUR FAMILY.....well.....mostly my Mom's side, actually. What I would hope you would see through these moments caught on.....well....not film.... : } ....digital memory..... is the SPIRIT OF WHO WE ARE! My Grandmother Miller was the GLUE! She instilled through her love and prayer a sense of the imporance of .....GATHERING..... She had an unconditional love that permeates down through us in ways that I can only explain through these pictures.. She would be so proud we love each other....and still.........GATHER.....

......We do this every year about this time ..........but it was very special this year because Sam and Mel and Eloise were here from France.....Becky from Colorado....Megan, Hailey and Alyssa from Virginia Beach.......Jennifer from Heath...etc.

.....My Mom had four brothers......this is Jerry....my uncles Ed and Don (all three WWII veterans) have passed away.....

..........and this my aunt Jane. I realized that in all the pictures I took I had not a one of My uncle John....which seems ironic because he is so the "silent one" but like the apostle John of the Bible......much beloved! For the family members unable to attend....I hope this allows you to enjoy "being here" through pictures. For the rest.......... well........it's just......us!