“Almost 90 cards. So close. Can we count the card sitting at your sister’s?” (The goal was 90.)

Of course, I agree.  Doesn’t every family have one member that keeps time in a different fashion?  Later arrivals?  Later mailing dates?

I’ve written about my family before.  One of my favorite posts is this one with a few of our Christmas traditions.

A family that celebrates:

Our family

Descendants of Grandma Ruth

But as time has marched on, change has been happening.  We communicate by family Facebook, my immediate family and the Ruth family.  We hold tight to our Christmas celebration as we lose elders and gain littles.  And we have added “Cousins” meeting monthly.

Yesterday was special as the Ruth cousins celebrated Aunt Janie’s birthday.  Of course the 5 sibs were the first ones there . . .

BEFORE the scheduled time!

They may be the elders but EARLY is how they roll.

I don’t have a picture of the cake or the honoree.  But use your imagination!

A cousin’s breakfast at 7 in the morning complete with birthday cake.

Currently the eldest of the “Baby Ruths”;

With 5 siblings – two brothers, their wives, and a sister;

With all 5 children celebrating again with cousins;

(With the possibility of 50 first cousins . . . )

The second oldest cousin up from Danville;

Five Droll cousins;

A Jenn cousin;

A cousin from Frances and Emily’s family;

My sister and I . . .

And even a cousin of the honoree!

Eight families represented . . .

Twenty three was the count .  .  .

Celebrating a 90th birthday . . .

Celebrating the joy of a Mom, Sister, Aunt, Godmother, Cousin . . .

Stories, past and present;

Conversations;

Perusing pictures;

Connecting times and places.

So many reasons to celebrate family, fun, and food!

What family birthdays do you celebrate? 

What makes family time extra special? 

What are your favorite stories?

Thank you, Betsy, Beth, Deb, Kathleen, Kelsey, Lanny, Melanie, and Stacey for this weekly forum from Two Writing Teachers. Check out the writers and readers here.