Change is hard, but new rich traditions are also important to build.
We have always gathered for Walker Thanksgiving on Thanksgiving at noon
and Christmas on Christmas eve between children's mass at 4pm and midnight mass at midnight.
These were always at Grandma and Grandpa Walker's homeplace, eventually Carl's.
The Walker family isn't small and and it just keeps growing (heart emoji)
There were 10 original siblings and now there are great-great grands.
This year, it was proposed to host a joint gathering at Whitfield Hall - still in the right spot.
You know those Whitfield Walkers.
We divided up the normal main dish assignments between the next generation - you know
the 40 year olds -- haha! Dan made the turkey and also pulled pork, Jess made the ever important noodles with the oversight of the sisters, and Allie made potatoes - the food was delicious as ever!
Silly nana and papaw
Sad we added a new family member to our memory tree. Polly LOVED family gatherings
and this one would have been a favorite of hers had she been here to join.
The family hadn't gathered since we lost Polly and it was nice to see everyone and celebrate the holidays.
The absolute best part was the room for everyone to eat, stay around and enjoy each other.
Those babies find a way to rule things, don't they? We love our Theo.
Morgan Ann with Theo and peep (Baby Carlye) - since I am way behind on blogging!
Aunt Polly loved to give gifts and had already bought books for the great great grands for Christmas before she passed away. Blake had an Usborne party and she ordered thru her. Love that this generation
got special gift from Aunt Polly.
Room to play so basketball, bikes, bounce houses it was!
We had a couple of fun games and because Polly loved to support any fundraiser or kid event, she had plenty of prizes around to share with the family - as we went thru her things, we couldn't think of a better way to share them!
The blind plate snowman judges!! Ha
And bingo for days! Many played and everyone won!
The favorite prize, by far, was Aunt Polly's collection of "grabbers" the long handled reachers - she had quite a collection and everyone took one!
Quinn loved helping Aunt Peggy
What a special day we had. One to cherish for years.