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Sunday, December 21, 2008

My Big Family Christmases

Christmas in a big family is always fun! I remember the excitement of just being a kid at Christmas.  I remember little things like laying my empty stocking on the foot of my bed and having the hardest time going to sleep so “Santa” could come.  There were a few years I could’ve SWORN I heard Santa and his reindeer on the roof of our house.  Somehow, I always fell asleep in time for “Santa” to replace my empty stocking with one that was filled to the brim with goodies.  The usual staples were an orange and an apple and some nuts and hard candy.  But, there were always items that were specially hand-picked for me!

One Christmas I remember sneaking down the stairs to try to catch Santa.  As I peered around the corner all I saw was our Christmas tree with mounds of gifts underneath.   Can you imagine trying to buy gifts for eleven children???

Christmas at the Goulets

My parents always found a way to make Christmas special.  I’ve shared before about all the hard work my Dad did restoring bikes, trikes, and pedal cars – they looked brand new each year.

Christmas at the Goulets 3

Check out Suz’s (#3) pants!! Can you say 1970s?  Just LOOK at all the gifts spilling out from under the tree!

Christmas at the Goulets 2

A little Christmas madness.  I believe that’s me in the front with my back to the camera. (Correct me if I’m wrong, Sharon #9.)  I vaguely remember that pink outfit I wore with white shoes. Because who doesn’t wear a pink outfit and white shoes for Christmas?  (Remember, this was southern California.)

Now that we’re all grown, Christmas at the Goulet house is still pretty lively.  Eight of us live within an hour of my parents.  Dennis #5 and Kristin #11 live within four hours of my parents.  And my oldest sister, Cathy #1, lives in Washington State.  So, we usually have a pretty large crowd with LOTS of kids.

I really don’t know what it would be like to be from a small family, but I can honestly say, I wouldn’t have it any other way!!

7 comments:

Kelly said...

I can't even imagine being in such a big family - since we have such a small family. I can't Imagine buying for 11 kids. WOW! What do ya'll do now? No gifts? Draw names?

judycolby said...

We always had an orange in the bottom of our stocking too. The smell of oranges always takes me back to Christmas morning as a child. Wonder why my parents always had a potato in the bottom of theirs?
There were only six kids in my family.

Dorothy said...

WOW! I think we have missed a lot of fun by having only one child! Poor boy! Looks like such fun to have a big family.
p.s. I'm sending you a picture by e-mail.
Dorothy

Becky said...

I can't imagine how much fun it was at your house Christmas morning with sooooo many siblings! I remember waking up on Christmas morning as well and there being presents under the tree. It still kinda makes my heart skip a beat when I think about it.

His Doorkeeper said...

So are you saying you kind of understand the Duggar household?????

Anonymous said...

I thought maybe that was me with my back to the camera, it looks a little young for you compared to Suz and Val. Not sure. Wow, you didn't even mention our angel we had! HA HA HA....Sharon

Kayla said...

Wow, your mom had to have wrapped presents for hours!! That makes my back hurt, just thinking about it! I would have been the FIRST one up running around the house waking everybody up!!!! I used to be up and WIDE awake at about 6!

Only about 48 hours left!!