SPECIAL DAYS

On Dec. 16 our family gathered in Moose Jaw at Mosaic Place to watch grandson Dawson's hockey game - Moose Jaw Generals vs Beardy's Blackhawks. We didn't get together just to watch a hockey game, but also to celebrate Laurel's 50th birthday that day!  Amazingly, all four siblings and all nine Johnson grandchildren were able to be there, eighteen of nineteen family members. (We were missing Jodi who had a migrane that day.)

The Spa was home to all of us that weekend.  Todd's had arrived from Norway to Calgary on Friday.  The next day they drove to Moose Jaw and Kirk's and Laurel's were there to welcome them.  Alan and I drove up on Sunday.  Clare's were in North Battleford as Abbey was curling there.  But Clare and Abbey surprised us by showing up when Abbey's team lost out and all the Johnson cousins were there for the special day!

The Generals had been on a losing streak and had gone four games with only four goals.  But not that day!  They ended up tied at four at the end of regulation time, all four goals scored by number 16, Casey McDonald.  To top that off, he also scored the winning goal in overtime making all five goals in that game!  He won't forget that game and neither will the Johnsons!  We had our picture taken by a tree near the entrance, then were off to Boston Pizza where Greg treated us all to supper, a gift for Laurel and all of us.  Thanks Greg for a great ending to this special day.

On the 17th we drove to Weyburn and had an anniversary supper with Clare and Jodi.  Todd's joined us and then we headed to the Cugnut Centre for the Weyburn Comps Band and Choirs concert.  Abbey plays the trumpet so we sat so we could see her as she played.  It was a very enjoyable program.

We drove home that evening, Todd's stayed overnight at Clare's.  When they got to the farm on Tuesday, they were without one of the girls.  Two year old Elly Clara had stayed behind at Clare's.  She spent the night, had gone grocery shopping with Jodi and also to the curling rink and managed just fine without Mom and Dad!  She came to the farm with Clare in the morning.

All nineteen of our family would be together at the farm on December 22, when we would celebrate Christmas.  Eric had a hockey game on Friday the 21 so that day was out.  Where would they all sleep??  We have three queen beds and one double, not quite enough for five couples.  Clare came to the rescue.  His camper was still at the farm so he backed it into the heated shop, with about three inches to spare in the doorway!  Jodi, Clare and the three boys made their home there and it worked well.

On Friday evening the Kids Club at Trinity, Torquay had their Christmas program so most of us, except for Laurels, made it to town for that special evening.  It was wonderful to hear those familiar carols sung by this group with the words all memorized.  Several of the children played Christmas songs on the piano and Josie Hurren even played the violin along with her mom Paula.  We enjoyed the visiting over snacks after the program.

Saturday was our Christmas Eve to enable Todd's to drive to Brooks, AB and be with the Ledene family for Jenny's birthday and their family Christmas with nine grandkids, six year old Nora being the oldest!  Never a dull moment there, I'm sure.

We moved a table up from the basement so we could seat everyone in the kitchen for our turkey supper with all the trimmings.  Everyone brought food so there was no shortage and we were able to host the family.  Thanks to all of you for making that easy for me.

The nine children had drawn names and exchanged their gifts after Dawson read the Christmas story from Luke 2, we sang some carols and I read a story written by Aunt Ruth Geving of the last Christmas that the Haaland family spent together in the thirties.  An unexpected cheque for $33 came in the mail that day and the prospects of a bleak Christmas changed into an evening never to be forgotten with lutefisk, lefse, oranges, nuts and candy.  Thirty three dollars went a long ways back then!   

Then it was time for pictures of the whole Johnson family.  We tried to keep the families together so Laurel's are to the left, then Kirk's, Clare's and Todd's on the right in front with the old folks on the love seat!

Those dads in the back are getting shorter!

 
 Some recreating poses were fun to see too!  Here are two of those.

14 years between these two poses of
Dawson, Abbey, Carter, Eric, Lindsay

 Dec 26, is the second day of Christmas and we didn't go shopping for Boxing Day specials.  Today Carter turned 17 so we had cupcakes with him on Sunday and he's celebrating today in Lampman with Shauna's side of the family.

Somehow this post didn't get published so I will do that today, January 1, and start working on a New Years blog before the new year gets much older.  Happy New Year to all.  Thanks for following my blog for another year.