Dave and Jean (Santa's elf)
Kids wait ever so patiently for presents! Hannah, Ryan, Eric, Carson and MarkThe day after Thanksgiving has been Goldsmith Christmas for many years now. George and Laura had to compete with lots of in-laws for real Christmas, so they decided long ago that the day after Thanksgiving would be a good time to get together.
We used to meet at their place in Earlville. It was ideal because the basement (or the "cellar" as Laura called it" was fully carpeted - even the walls. Good for sound absorbtion! And George and Laura left the Christmas tree decorated in the furnace room, just covered with a sheet. So setup was easy! Paul's old Hot Wheels set was down there along with a few other toys to entertain the kids.
Some of us out of towners even stayed at the house and there was a bedroom downstairs. No it wasn't carpeted on the walls, but it did contain beds that I think were from the 1940's - I think the mattresses were made with horse hair! If you got to stay down there, everytime someone walked up stairs you heard the floor creaking.
The old kitchen table from the farm was downstairs, so George felt quite at home sitting their during present time. The kids would be very excited of course to open gifts. We usually had a special exchange for them. Then each child usually received a gift from his/her godparent and from G&L. Through the years the adults decided it would be fun to do a system where each person who wanted to participate brought a gift and drew a number. When it was your turn you picked a gift - either from the stack or from someone who already had picked. Each gift could change hands 3 times max. It gets quite rowdy at times!
Once G&L moved to assisted living, we began hold Goldsmith Christmas at the Earlville Mealsite. It works out very well for the large group. The acoustics aren't good but it's nice that our large group can fit in! This year there was over 40 people. Since this year marks the occasion of Carol, Paul's oldest sis's 70th birthday, all 3 of her children were here - a first in many years.
Jud thought all the little kids would drive him crazy! I thought that was funny cuz back when he was one of the loud lil kids - these kids' parent were the college kids bitching about him! They were loud, but they were having good clean fun - no eyes were poked out.
Attendance:
We used to meet at their place in Earlville. It was ideal because the basement (or the "cellar" as Laura called it" was fully carpeted - even the walls. Good for sound absorbtion! And George and Laura left the Christmas tree decorated in the furnace room, just covered with a sheet. So setup was easy! Paul's old Hot Wheels set was down there along with a few other toys to entertain the kids.
Some of us out of towners even stayed at the house and there was a bedroom downstairs. No it wasn't carpeted on the walls, but it did contain beds that I think were from the 1940's - I think the mattresses were made with horse hair! If you got to stay down there, everytime someone walked up stairs you heard the floor creaking.
The old kitchen table from the farm was downstairs, so George felt quite at home sitting their during present time. The kids would be very excited of course to open gifts. We usually had a special exchange for them. Then each child usually received a gift from his/her godparent and from G&L. Through the years the adults decided it would be fun to do a system where each person who wanted to participate brought a gift and drew a number. When it was your turn you picked a gift - either from the stack or from someone who already had picked. Each gift could change hands 3 times max. It gets quite rowdy at times!
Once G&L moved to assisted living, we began hold Goldsmith Christmas at the Earlville Mealsite. It works out very well for the large group. The acoustics aren't good but it's nice that our large group can fit in! This year there was over 40 people. Since this year marks the occasion of Carol, Paul's oldest sis's 70th birthday, all 3 of her children were here - a first in many years.
Jud thought all the little kids would drive him crazy! I thought that was funny cuz back when he was one of the loud lil kids - these kids' parent were the college kids bitching about him! They were loud, but they were having good clean fun - no eyes were poked out.
Attendance:
- Carol Goldsmith Meyer Kragenbrink
- her son Tom Meyer and wife Misty along with kids Quenntin, and twins Lane and Aaron (they're just 2)
- her son Terry Meyer and wife Bonnie and son Ryan 5, Hannah 3
- her Daughter Barb and husband Mike Archer and their kids Mandy 12 and Greyson 13?
- Jean Goldsmith Fox and husband Dave
- their daughter Kris Fox Cook and her husband Chris - his kids Aron and Megan - in high school and their son Carson who is 5
- Dennis Goldsmith and wife Kelli
- their daughter Karen and husband Andy Krueger and their boys Erick 5, and Mark 2
- Larry Goldsmith and wife Regina
- Their son Craig
- Their son Kurt and wife Erin
- Pat Goldsmith Vorwald and husband Dave
- Ken Goldsmith - wife Mary was working at the CR Library
- Daughter Katie Goldsmith Lee and husband Albert and son Jacob age 1
- Son John
- Dorie Goldsmith Nielsen and husband John
- Son Chris
- Paul Goldsmith and me
- Son Judson
It'a always hard to get around and talk to everyone. I never did get to talk to Kris Fox and then it was time for them to go. The exchange was fun - the golfballs I took were popular, and so were the movies the guys took. I ended up with an ISU stocking cap and Paul got some tools. Jud got a nice thermal lunch box. A good time was had by all!
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