Pink Suitcase Chronicles # 46: Christmas in MN

Pink was not only filled with clothes for the festive Christmas celebration in Minnesota but also a very happy Miss E.! Twenty six people gathered together for a Lindahl Christmas and she was the youngest family member in attendance. Though twenty four of us stayed in a hotel, we sure made the most of our time together. Wes' brother, Paul, had baked bread "just like Mom used to make" and had also made raspberry "neurotic" jam (thus named because of the hard work it took to pick all those wild raspberries while at the family cabin and then going crazy when it was eaten up so quickly). This was our first treat as we gathered together in the hotel.

Miss E. tried on this dress to wear to the Christmas Eve dinner, but it was only worn for minutes as it appeared to bother her. Luckily I managed to get a picture of her in it as I bought it for her.

Santa made an appearance at our Christmas Eve gathering!

He passed out fleece jammies to the younger members. Apparently the jammies can double as head warmers.

With so many people, we couldn't exactly fit into Wes' parents apartment. Fortunately, we borrowed the fellowship area of the meeting room and set up 4 tables. Bedsheets may or may not have been used for the tablecloths.

Here the beloved Grandparents pose with their 10 "Grands" and the two spouses that have been added to the family.

The only "Great" was asleep by this point.

See the cute sweater Miss E. is wearing once she wakes up the next morning?

Years ago Grandma made it for grand-daughter Samantha, and now it has been handed down to the youngest family member! So sweet.

Before our Christmas Day dinner, we had a little "beverage tasting" party. Fun-oh!

Now for the Christmas Day feast. It was impressive, to say the least.

Following our dinner, we played WHITE ELEPHANT Bingo and the much-desired tattoo sleeve

finally ended up in Sam's possession.

The last activity we shared that night was a slide show of old family pictures.

Early the next morning, the family started their home journeys. It was a weekend that passed so quickly, but the memories we made together will long be remembered and savored.

I hope you are remembering your Christmas with a smile on your face and love in your heart, too!