CHRISTMAS DAY

Christmas day started with Santa hats and with stockings filled to overflowing. After the stockings were emptied, we all broke for breakfast. Then it was time to open gifts under the tree. The remainder of the morning and the earlier part of the afternoon were given over to playing games and playing with new toys and gifts.

Mid afternoon took us to Skeeter and Becky's place where 23 people crowded into their 900 square-foot house for a potluck Mexican dinner. When the meal ended, the tables were folded and put away and we all exchanged gifts, white elephant style.

Finally, we sang a few Christmas songs together, filled the rest of the afternoon with visiting and with laughter, and then we all went home with a very merry day behind us.

Stockings on the mantle waited to be emptied by eager Santa Clauses.

Granny examines the contents of her stocking while Silas looks on.

Tim replaces his Santa hat with a new cap found in his stocking.

Bethany digs into her stocking while Devon is preoccupied with the parakeet.

Ashley checks out a couple of colorful pens that she just pulled out of her stocking.

Silas finds a stuffed animal in his stocking, which seems to catch Naomi's eye as well.

Devon dumps all the stuff in his stocking conveniently on the floor in front of him for easy access.

Naomi finds food in her stocking.

Adorned in her new hat and pajamas, Naomi waits for breakfast.

Granny, Bethany and Naomi gather around the tree for the opening of gifts.

Debra begins unwrapping something with her name on it.

I got much more than I expected or deserved: two CD's and a digital camcorder.

Devon creates beautiful artwork with his "Magic Light Brush".

Silas displays his talent with his three-dimensional "Color Explosion Glow Board".

Ashley and Silas square off in a game of checkers.

Bethany and Devon duke it out in a game of "Go Fish".

Before going to Skeeter and Becky's for dinner, the Weathersbys sit for a family photo in front of a now-giftless Christmas tree.

Twenty-three humans gathered together in a cozy little house for a fine Christmas feast.

Yes, twenty-three humans gathered together in a cozy little house for a fine Christmas feast.

Seeking to establish a place in the Guinness Book of World Records, twenty-three humans gathered together in a cozy little house for a fine Christmas feast.

A couple of one-year-olds were among the twenty-three.

A twenty-three voice choir filled the room with joyful noise.

Makiah used the singing as an opportunity to show off her dance moves.

Granny checks out the activity, Debra and Ashley talk, and three-time mother, Bethany, shares some thoughts with soon-to-be mother, Scarlet.

Andrew takes turns with Silas and Devon, flinging them into the air with his powerful legs.

The entire Christmas day was merry and bright! But the brightest spot in the day was enhanced by the flash of a camera.