Family Fun.

My family holiday dinner was yesterday. There was a very low turnout. Regardless, 2 of my aunts had a great idea to have professional photos taken since we haven't had one in, well, 20 years maybe. My dad has 5 brothers, no sisters, but one of my uncles was absent. And, grandchildren? Fewer than half of us were there. But, the photos were taken. Photos for a gift to the grandparents.

We are not a photo friendly family.

The photographer was earning her money. Can you imagine posing burly men? Can you imagine posing a family consisting of people who routinely make wise-cracks. Wise-cracks that cause half of the family to turn red, because that's what happens when they laugh.

It was an experience.

An experience fo' sho'.

Additionally, one of my uncles used to always record our Christmas get-togethers (we used to have them until Grandma canceled Christmas 5 years ago, true story). Well yesterday, he was playing them on the tv throughout the dinner. Oh my goodness. I had no idea I was quite so scrawny. Somehow, I've always thought of my younger self as reasonably sized. Skinny, but reasonable. In actuality I was pretty much all hair and clothing, with an occasional glimpse of my teeny arm stretching from within the sleeve of my sweatshirts.

On the other hand, it was a good time making fun of Little Sister's feathered bangs!

Also, there was only one, "We didn't think you'd be here this year, we figured you'd be in Kansas!" I thought I'd get more crap than that since last year I missed Family Holiday Dinner because I was visiting Boy in Kansas, but luckily, my family's memory must be as bad as mine.

Ohh family.

"If she seems cold and bitter then I beg of you
Just stop and consider all she's goin' through
Don't be quick to condemn her for things she might say
Just remember life turned her that way"
-George Jones