Monday, February 7, 2011

"Our Family Holiday"


Those of you who know me even just a little, know that having my family altogether in one spot is the most important thing in my life...all 20 of us.
Super Bowl Sunday is one of those times. Something that happened 44 years ago started this being a family day.
The night before Super Bowl II, I found out just how important Super Bowl Sunday is.
Mr. SS and I were just newly engaged and I had planned a picnic and activities at Griffith Park in Los Angeles, for his birthday, with some good friends of our Bill and Patty.
As I was leaving Mr. SS's family home and telling him goodbye, leaning back against my  1966 VW Bug, getting my goodnight kiss...
(You can imagine what an impact this was on my life by how I remember every little detail.)
Mr. SS told me there would be no picnic the next day, because it was Super Bowl Sunday.
I had no idea what that was and proceeded to tell him about the planning and cooking etc., that had gone into this picnic. Well, I just wasn't getting it. He wasn't budging and I can be very "hard headed" too.
I was twisting my precious little diamond ring and very nearly took it off, saying that football could not be more important than me.
Could I possibly have been that immature...well I came to my senses and realized how much this precious man meant to me and how good he was to me in so many ways...and since that second Super Bowl have made that day special to him and eventually to our boys too.  Now the DIL's and grand kids are included and it is such a fun family time.
It helps that it always falls near Mr. SS's birthday and we have that to celebrate too.
The day started out by our sons taking Mr. SS golfing for his birthday along with Kyle who is on his HS golf  team.
Can you imagine the pressure of having your Papaw and three uncles critiquing your swing?

 Us girls were home preparing lots of snacks for when they got home.
My son's garage/kids playroom was turned into a "mancave" for the day.
 
The big girls got the cozy warm living room to sit, talk and play with baby Emmy.
Sorry no picture here.

It was warm, sunny and in the 70's today and the kids played out side all day.
Some were eating (well, we all were eating).


Some rode around in Papaw's golf cart.


While some put on a rollerblading show.


And some road tricycles and scooters.


all danced.

It was the most fun day even though we all ate too much. I asked several what there favorite snack was and most said the Fudge (see previous post for recipe).

My favorite part came at the end of the day. I got to bathe, feed and cuddle baby Emmy to sleep.
She's our last baby and those moments are very precious to me.


God is so Good!
Life is so Good!

8 comments:

Elizabeth and Gary said...

Hi Beverly,
We also watched the game with 15 of your family! we ate the hole day through...and the kids all ran and played just like your kids did..I spent most of my time in the kitchen.LOL
I'm still tired today and I had to come to work..maybe I'll take a little nap at lunch time.
Have a sweet day and hugs, Elizabeth

Dogmom Diva said...

Hi Beverly, glad the fudge was such a hit! That fudge is so good, and so easy to make..I might have to whip up a batch for the hubs and myself:)

Sounds like a wonderful family day, we had a quiet one, our kids were in Las Vegas, that seems to be their fave thing to do..maybe next year if we are able to we will join them!

hugs
Barb

Susy said...

Your post made me cry. xoxoxo

Michelle said...

Sounds like such a wonderful day spent with your family.

Suzanne said...

Gosh, Beverly I'm sure glad for the sake of those 18 family members that you came to your senses and gave in on game day. Had you taken off that diamond, history would have been rewritten.

This morning I asked Bill if he remembered the first Super Bowl game. He proceeded to recite the teams and scores for every year until I stopped him. Why can men do that but not remember what we told them five minutes ago?

I'm glad your three DIL's also understand how important game day is to the Parks family. Looks like everyone had a great time. Thanks for sharing!

Gail @ Victorian at Heart said...

Looks like your family day was a hit. I'm sure you had a great time and Dennis had a fun birthday. There is nothing like a family get together. Thanks for sharing so we can stay in touch.

Jane said...

What a wonderful way to spend the day with family! I really enjoyed reading your story, that's one for the record books.
Jane

Carrie @ Cottage Cozy said...

Looks like everyone had a grand time...gotta love the "mancave"!