We celebrated our “Almeida Christmas” early from November 30th – December 2nd. Every third year we rotate houses and this year was our turn, which was perfect because we are in our new house. We celebrate either early or later in January just because the holiday season is so busy and it’s difficult to get all the families together at the same time.
This is the first time that we had everyone together at the same time with all 6 grandkids, it was very exciting to be able to do this. Pictured from left to right by family is Jimmy, Jessica, Alex (1 1/2), Joey (4 1/2), Mike, Pami, Lizzy (4 1/2), Charlie, (almost 7), Vovo, Papa, Lauren (11) Michele, Matthew (17)
The house was filled with love, fun, laughter and lots of food!! 
The kids were real troopers and very patient as we took MANY photos. It’s difficult with children to get everyone looking at the camera at the same time without blinking, crying, turning their head, etc., but they did really good. They had an incentive…. it’s called opening stocking stuffers and Christmas presents!!!
To have these 6 kids together at the same time is all I needed for Christmas.
Obviously the antlers were a big hit! 
Saturday morning all of us piled into 3 cars in the pouring rain and went to Home Depot for the monthly craft making event. All the kids got in the act and made Christmas frames. 
There was also some serious card playing, even Lauren got into Poker Saturday night with Papa’s assistance. 
Even the kids had their own card game going on… LOL 
Vovo prepared ornaments for the kids to make. They really enjoyed creating these keepsakes and they did a great job. Each kid made 4 ornaments, a lantern, squirrelly thing with beads, foam star, and pinwheel. After they made each ornament they were very excited and ran over to show their Mom & Dad. Then they ran over to the tree to decorate it (and when I say “ran” I mean it). So the bottom of the tree is now decorated with 12 hand made ornaments that I will keep forever. Check out the ornaments Jimmy made in 1984… 28 years ago and they still get put on the tree!!
The proud children showing off their creations. 
Considering it was pouring all weekend, this is where everyone put their shoes for 3 days. The little kids used the basket and the rest of us used the floor… LOL. If you click on the picture and look beyond the dining room table, you can see a blow up bed… this was Mathew’s bedroom for 3 nights. The rest of the kids slept on 2 blow up beds in our bedroom. We had people everywhere; good thing we have a big house! 
This is a mini scrapbook of Alex from birth to several months old. I put it in Jessica’s stocking and she loved it… brought tears to her eyes, so sweet. I also made one for each of the little kids a few years ago.
Charlie & Lizzy saw Santa this past weekend.
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