After family Christmas parties last weekend and on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, Monday was our McHendy Christmas. A day we gather together with our “best friend family” – the McKinneys and the Hendersons – to celebrate. We have been a McHendy friendfamily for over 25 years.
This year welcomed a few new members. Here are the new moms with “B” and “C.”
New moms mean…
new grandmas…
and grandpas…
who nurtured while the rest of the gang…
played crazy games like the hilarous SpeakOut – where you put a contraption in your mouth and try to enunciate what is on your card while your team mates try to guess what you are saying,
and the social word game CodesNames, which I totally recommend for a great, easy to learn and fun to play group game.
It was so fun to get this gang together in one place from all over the country this holiday season. From tiny babies to adults and growing families, wings have stretched and flown, but when we’re all together, it feels just like home.
We decided on a no-gift theme this year, and instead, contributed in a small way to a charity of choice, Ronald McDonald House Charities, by purchasing matching #LoveandBeLoved T-shirts. You can learn more about LoveandBeLoved here, a great organization I learned about through the receptionist at my office who heads the local chapter with her husband. Their mission is a simple yet profound one: It is every human being’s God given responsibility to show love, and every human being has the right to be loved regardless of their race, gender, age, sexuality, or beliefs.
Sending Love with Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Looks like you had a wonderful time and I love the shirts and what they stand for. Also love how you chose the Ronald McDonald House charity. That has a special place in my heart, as you know. A truly wonderful charity to give to. You all definitely have captured the meaning of the true Christmas Spirit. Love and Hugs! <3!
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We sure did – I love these peeps with all my heart! I’m so glad we were able to help others out in a very small way too. I do recall that Ronald McDonald House is near and dear to your heart. Sending love to you and yours C!
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I love the photos! I can’t believe how much your grandbaby has grown! She is sooo adorable! She looks like so much fun!! What a lovely friend-family! It looks like ya’ll had a lot of fun!
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Thanks PJ! I know- she is growing so fast! I tell her not to, but she still is 🙂 She has already gained 2 lbs and is changing every minute. Starting to smile and really respond. These peeps are truly our family and the love we share is unbreakable! ❤
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She is so beautiful and gets more beautiful every picture I see. How fun to watch her growing and beginning to respond to you! I think it’s wonderful that you all are family after so many years of being friends! Happy New Year, Jodi!
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The smallest baby appears to be attempting to do the dab in the first picture. Respect.
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haha! Love it! Our little “C” doin’ the dab! 🙂
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What an amazing “role model” group. The fact that “no gifts” was agreed (spending money on gifts has nothing to do with Christmas anyway, and everything to do with profits for businesses); the fact that many people went out of their way to enable the “get together”; the fact that a charity of choice benefited, and the fact that “Love”, and all it entails. is publicly broadcast with those t-shirts…… What a wonderful example of the true Christmas spirit! 🙂
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Thank you so much Colin! These peeps are our family in every sense of the word. There is a very strong bond of love that we are so fortunate to have. We have been through much together and will continue to share in the good times and rough times. Thanks for your visit and kind comment! Sending Love to you and yours!
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🙂
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Wonderful family photos!!
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Thank you John – most were just quick iPhone snaps except for the first group shot, but tried to capture the love and joy and magic 🙂
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What a blast!
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It was Kirk! These friends are our family! 🙂
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Jodi, this looks like so much fun for your family! I love the charitable giving idea and t- shirts. The game looks like crazy fun!😉
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Thanks Mary!
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You have a beautiful family Jodi. 🙂
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Thank you Terry
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Wow that looks like it was so much fun! I love the t-shirt/charity idea, and the group photo is awesome with y’all in them!
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Thanks Kathryn! We are blessed
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What fun times! I love these photos Jodi! xoxo
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Thanks Lynn!
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Love the photos!! Especially grandma and grandpa holding the little angel!! xo 😇❤🌟
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oh she is so precious to us 🙂 ❤
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You are having too much fun Jodi! I love the idea of donating instead of gifts, and getting the tshirts!
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we try! LOL!
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This just looks like a total blast!! What a fabulously fun tradition!! And love the donation idea. Beautiful!! (I want to be part of your friend family!!!😍)
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You are so welcome to be Charlie O!
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What a great idea and beautiful family,Jodi.
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Love this! Ronald McDonald house is also close to my heart. Helped my parents when Scott was young. Ally collected pop tops for her Mitzvah project for them for her bat mitzvah. I love your McHendy family!
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What fun, Jodi. Beautiful smiles all around. Lovely. :O)
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Family friends are the best! How wonderful that you get together every Christmas to celebrate together! It looks as if you all had a wonderful time…..thanks for sharing it with us!!!
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Such a happy family photo, Jodi! Happy New Year to all! 🎆 Christine
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So much better than ugly sweaters! xo
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