Trimming the Tree

We call it a party, but it is just a little family get-together in which we trim (aka decorate) the tree. There are just the five of us now. It was never much more, but in the old days, it used to be seven — Sue and me, my parents, our kids, and one friend, Val.

My parents and Val are gone, but there are still three generations. Sue and I are now the grandparents, and Shauna is the parent, and the kids are the kids.

By our best recollections, Sue began this tradition about 40 years ago. For us, it became the beginning of the Christmas season, and later, the seven of us would gather again at actual Christmas. I think it began when my parents moved to our city in the early 80s. Even after Shauna moved here to Ottawa in the late 90s, she would sometimes return from across the miles for the tree party. Then, in 2005, we moved to be near her, just as my parents had once moved to be near us, and now we go to her house for things Christmas.

Without going into the whys and wherefores, pictures there are tough due to the low light. I am forced to set the camera to auto, fire away, and hope for the best. Here they are.

First thing: decorate the tree.

For many years, my mother smocked two ornaments, one for each of our two children. She has now been gone for 19 years, but a few of her ornaments come out. I don't know how many we have but this year, these four were hung on the tree.

Job well done. I think I only hung two ornaments, but in my defense, it's a narrow space, and I do take pictures.

Sue decided to celebrate by dancing with the kids. I don't think they knew what to make of it.

We always seem to get one picture of JJ on the ladder. Here he is having a bite to eat after the trimming and before heading to his hockey game.

Peace reigned once JJ and Sha were off an Danica was upstairs. 

The tv on the left displayed a very Christmassy scene and played seasonal music throughout the afternoon.. There are now many such offerings on YouTube, and Sue often has one playing at this time of year. I can't find that exact one right now, but I am embedding one below.