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