The day after Christmas, 2004, we went to Kay & Mike's for dinner

Kay & Mike's family room ... she had it decorated beautifully and Syd & Perri thought they were in a mansion.

After we entered the house, Syd & Perri were looking at all the Christmas decorations and loving every minute of it. Kay had a smaller tree in the dining room and the girls thought that was the only Christmas tree in the house. Until they went down to the family room that is.

Perri looked around and then looked up at this huge tree ... her eyes couldn't seem to take it all in and she turned and looked at me and said "Are they rich or what? Look at this house! Look at this tree Gram!" Perri has always had a way with words and speaks what's on her heart and mind.

Mr. Mason Smith

Miss Perri playing the piano.

Shawn & Clyde .. we had a lot of music that night ... Mike, Myndi & the girls played

piano and Shawn played guitar. We have some gifted people in this family.

Dave & Shawn

Perri & her great Aunt Kay Kay

Perri & Megan

Myndi helping Syd & Perri on the piano. She's really good with kids.

Kay, Mom & Me

My Tay Tay & Me

As the youngest sister in our family, Kay has always held a special place in our lives. She's the 'baby girl' and I remember Mom & Dad bringing her home from the hospital after she was born. Mom had a difficult labor with Kay and Kay's collar bone was broken during the birthing process. She came home with a cast on her arm and up to her shoulder. I clearly remember Mom saying "Louise, I'm going to need you to help me take care of her." Not a problem! We cut her baby gowns so they would fit and we handled her with kid gloves until she was better and the cast came off. I honestly treated her like my own little doll for awhile. Then it was life as normal in the Riddle household. Define 'normal', I dare ya.

I am very grateful to have Kay as my baby sister ... she'll always be that regardless of how old we get. As Linda tells folks when she introduces me ... "This is Louise and she's my OLDER sister". Indeed, I am the oldest of eight and thankful to still be here to see my siblings and their children and their grandchildren.

We had such a good time that day and hopefully we can get together again during the Christmas holidays...maybe next year? We can plan ahead, send out invitations, fix lots of food, take pictures, play guitar and piano and just be together.

Hope you've enjoyed looking at the photos ... there's more to come and I'd enjoy adding yours to this blog. Send any you'd like added to my email address and I'll post them.

Blessings to you all ...