CHRISTMAS YEARS PAST

You might recognize yourself in this photo.   It was taken at Grandma and Grandpa Holman's in Horine, Mo.  Presents were not opened until a picture of the grandkids was taken.  Can you even imagine the fun we had trying to get all of these kids to stand still for all the flashing lights.  Back then it was flash-bulbs.  If it didn't go off then we had to take another.  Every parent had their own camera (not digital either, we just had to take our chances).  The Christmas Story was read by Grandpa, Christmas carols had to be sung, and then the fun began.  I'm surprised we didn't lose a baby or two under all of that paper!   There was always plenty of food, punch and noise! 

There have been a lot of changes over the years, but we'll always remember Christmas at Grandma and Grandpa's house.

Posted by:  Brenda

GRANDMA RUBY

For those of you who are too young to remember, Grandma Ruby Holman loved dolls. For many years it became a tradition that one of us purchased a doll for her at Christmas time.


All of her dolls were beautiful and had fancy full dresses. Ruby proudly displayed them in her bedroom.


Ruby also loved  red, glitz and glitter.  If it sparkled, she loved it.  If it was red AND sparkled, all the better.


When Sidney and I were first married I had problems understanding Ruby and her fascination with all the sparkles, glitz and glitter since my own mother was just opposite.  As I grew older and learned a little more about her life while she was growing up, I realized  while being raised "dirt poor" that she may have never owned a doll of her own as a child.  She probably never owned a necklace or ring that sparkled.   Most likely she never even owned a beautiful dress or a pair of dressy shoes.   As an adult she was embracing all that she had never possessed before.


I wish I had been given more insight into Ruby's childhood while she was living.  I would have bought her more dolls,  given her gifts of sparkley jewelry, and helped her paint her house red, but it's too late now.  I have no doubt that as she walks the steets of gold in heaven that she runs her fingers along gates made of smooth pearl. I'm sure she stands in awe of the jewels around the throne and often wades in the crystal river.  Most of you picture people in heaven dressed in white robes, but I think God may be making an exception for Ruby.  When we get to heaven she will be easy to find because I'm sure she is dressed in a jewel studded red dress, with red dancing shoes, and she will come running to greet you because you are part of her most prized possession; you are her family.

4th of July 2008 at the Huber's

Every 4th of July the Huber's host a family BBQ.

They have the most beautiful, breath-taking backyard.

The children and adults alike love to watch the gigantic coy in the beautiful pond.

Elnora, Connie, Randy, Katie, and Patty are feeding the fish.

John created this gorgeous waterfall.

John and one of his grandchildren.  He looks so proud!

This has been contributed by:  Michelle Holman

Thanks Michelle!

Family Thanksgiving at Grandma & Grandpa Holmans - Horine

As the Thanksgiving Holiday approaches I was remembering what Thanksgiving was like when all of the Holman kids and their kids went to the Holman house in Horine for dinner.  Of course there was Ruby and Sid Sr., their seven children and the husbands and wives.  Then we all began having children.....

Ruby had a large dining room table, a lot of counter top space, but it was still crowded to say the least.  As the very large tukey was carved (actually it kind of fell apart), the potatoes were mashed, the dressing was served up, the iced tea was poured, the mouths began to water.  Everyone gathered round as we asked God to bless our food, and the action began;

When the children were small we fixed their plates for them and sent them towards the basement to eat.  Some sat on the stairs, some on the freezer, and I'm not sure where the rest went.  The dining table was reserved by age.  I'm not sure that even Larry or Randy ever got to sit at the dining room table.  John always chose to stand during dinner.  He would stand by the turkey roasting pan and pick the meat off the bones of the turkey.  He would say it was the best part.

As far as leftovers go, I'm not sure there was even enough turkey left for a sandwich.  The pumpkin, chocolate, and coconut cream pies disappeared quickly.  You didn't wait around for desert or you might miss out.

As the family grew the large family dinners fell apart.  Family members started having dinner at their own homes.  We didn't know it then, but those were special times.

If you are old enough to remember the dinners at the Holmans in Horine, please leave a comment about the things you remember.  Please help to preserve those memories.

October Chili Supper and Weiner Roast

One of my favorite family gatherings is the one held in October, hosted by Jerry and Vicki.  I believe their children have begun to help them with this event.  There is lots and lots of chili, hot dogs, hot chocolate and hot cider.  Sitting by the fire and visiting is always one of my favorite things to do.  The kids of all ages seem to have a really good time.  Thank you Jerry & Vicki for this time tested tradition.

My First Introduction to the Family Home

It was August of 1966 when Sidney first returned home from Vietnam. I had been working at a Bible Camp in Indiana and cut my work trip short when he called to say he was home. We hadn't been dating up to that time, but we were very good friends. I had known Sidney and his family most of my life since we went to school and church together, but I had not visited in his home.

It was a normal afternoon when I had been invited to the Holman's home for dinner. They lived in an old two story farm house located on Front Street in Horine, Missouri. It was probably the oldest home in the community. At this same time, they were in the process of building a new home on the same property. Back to dinner.....

There were 10 of us seated at a large table with large bowls of food everywhere! Now I don't remember what we had for dinner that afternoon, but I do remember this; it began to rain. Not a gentle rain, but a hard summer rain! I was only 17, a little shy about being in their home with my boyfriend, and then it happened...several of the kids got up, as if on cue, and started sitting bowls, pans, buckets and whatever else they could find on designated spots on the floor. They knew the exact place where the rain would be coming in and they knew how to handle it!

The Holmans moved from that old house into a brand new brick home soon after that. I shared many meals with them after that day, but I don't remember any other one quite like I remember my first.

Brenda