Monday, December 23, 2019

In Which I Share My Family Photo Album

Merry Christmas!

When I pulled together our occasionally annual Christmas letter to family and friends last Saturday, I wrote, 'I'm sharing family pictures on the blog at LindaStoll.net on Christmas Day, so please stop by at some point and get a glimpse of who we are in this season.'

I was way past trying to design some kind of photo card or figure out how to get a picture from my phone to the letter on my quite outdated laptop.  Yes, I am hugely technologically challenged.

If your eyes glaze over when people whip out their phones and show you 89,000 pics of their family, well, yes, I absolutely understand if you want to move on.

Here's the snapshots of our life in 2019 ... 


a delicious black & white cookie {or 3} 
was the perfect way to celebrate Mom's 89th


the tail end of April is still fairly misty & frigid at the beach ...
Tom, Kristin, Alexa, & Brooke didn't mind at all


Jenn graduated from nursing school at the top of her class ... 
wow, what a celebration!


our annual Father's Day extended family gathering ...
no one gets a hamburger 'til the picture is taken


Brooke {9}   Melanie {11}   Andrew {13}
Kathryn {14}   Alexa {10}   Lydia {16}


Barry  .  Kathryn  .  Melanie  .   Jenn  .  Andrew  .  Lydia


Kathryn is really sleeping
yes


Andrew  .  Brooke  .  Alexa
pretend sleeping, i think


Lydia  .  Kathryn  .  Jenn
definitely faking it


they all found sweatshirts their size & had to try them on ... 
shoppers scattered at the noisy commotion


we miss you little Tyler ...
you're never far from our thoughts, sweet boy


Alexa  .  Brooke  .  Pa
the best pics are when no one cares that Ma's aiming her phone


Jenn  .  Melanie  .  Kristin


Brooke  .  Kristin  .  Alexa
best beach day ever 


um ... well ... what can i say
this is what 64 looks like {sigh}


Lydia does a color-run fundraiser for missions with
her great-uncle who she hadn't seen since she was a baby


Alexa  .  Brooke
i love this sweet, cozy picture


Kathryn flies in for some 1 - 1 time ...
we didn't plan to be twins


happy 65th, Tim ...
you are loved, for sure


no one gets a turkey dinner until we pull together 
this rare pic of my mom with her whole family


when i grow up, i want to be just like my daughters ...
they're absolutely incredible women


i told them to turn around & smile 
& wonder of wonders, they did


Lydia  .  Kathryn
they're beautiful in every way


quietly heading into the new year

Linda

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32 comments:

  1. I love my family! They are the best!
    -Tom

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  2. Nice pictures Linda. Thanks for the "family stroll." I pray you will have a Christ-filled Christmas and your 2020 will be filled with God's blessings that you are unable to count.

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    1. Bill, thanks! Have a wonderful celebration with your people ...

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  3. I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas!

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  4. Love the reflections via photos through the year. It's a great family!

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    1. And one of the reasons we're so blessed is because you guys are in it.

      Love to you 4!
      xo

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  5. Loved these precious family photos, Linda! May you all have a Blessed Christmas and Happy New Year!

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    1. Thanks for stopping in while you're on a well-deserved blogging break, friend!

      Enjoy every moment with your sweet family.

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  6. I'm sure not tired of seeing your family, Linda.

    No photos now will tell the tale;
    the most recent shall be the last,
    for I have gone deathly pale
    beneath my yellow cast.
    It is not the wearing years
    nor the endless miles;
    cancer has me in arrears
    but there's still strength for smiles.
    But let the smiles be in my words,
    reflecting God's own grace,
    and perhaps, point you towards
    His handsome, shining face.
    Look to Him and remember me
    as long ago, I used to be.

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    Replies
    1. 89,000 snapshots later... well you're so kind, Andrew.

      And this here is my prayer, too, that people would see Jesus in me -->
      'But let the smiles be in my words,
      reflecting God's own grace,
      and perhaps, point you towards
      His handsome, shining face.'

      Blessings to you, Barb, and your numerous 4 footed beasts!

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  7. Linda, I loved seeing all of your family photos and you have a beautiful family! Merry Christmas!

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    1. Christmas blessings to you and your family, Pam. Thanks for showing us all what warm hospitality looks like!

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  8. We love you Ma! From Kristin, Alexa and Brooke

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  9. Replies
    1. We had a beautiful year together, didn't we!

      God is good!
      xo

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  10. Aw, Linda! It was just wonderful seeing the photos or your family and you!! I am so thankful we met this year, too. You have been such a blessing to me. You truly have a heart for God, and it shines through in everything you do. I know this year has had its hard parts for you and your family. Trusting 2020 will be better for all of us, in Jesus' name. Sending Christmas blessings and hugs your way, my friend! Merry Christmas!

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    1. I hope you had a wonderful day with those nearest and dearest to you, Cheryl! I look forward to getting to know you better in 2020 ...

      :-}

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  11. 64 looks good on you, Linda! I love seeing these pictures. I can definitely tell there is a LOT of love in your family! Such a blessing.

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    1. Lisa, as always, thanks for your encouraging words! Looking forward to moving ahead into this fresh new year alongside you, friend ...

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  12. Wow what a splendid bunch of folks. Those pics are so great and everyone is beaming. You can tell there is love swarming in all those events.

    You wear 64 well and I love what Cheryl said: “You truly have a heart for God.” That is what blesses me the most and your encouragement blesses me second. There is a whole list of other things about you that blesses me and I hope you know what a special friend you are to me.

    See ya next year

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    1. I can't wait to see you again! Despite the circumstances.

      'Til then, happy new year, Buds ...

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  13. 64 looks awesome on you, Linda, and I am going to use the hamburger threat next summer to get a family picture when the Colorado crew comes for a visit!

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    1. You never saw people gather 'round so quickly!

      This works!

      Meanwhile, thanks for speaking into my life with such well-put wisdom this year, Michele. I so appreciate all you bring to the table.

      Happy new year, friend...

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  14. Awww, can't stop smiling. Beautiful photos, Beautiful family! You are so so blessed! So great to see you are still in the business of encouraging others. Wishing you and yours continued blessings in 2020 and beyond!:) May God bless you and make you laugh:)!

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    1. Yes, God brings joy and laughter and humor into our lives ... sometimes at the most surprising moments!

      I'm so grateful.

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  15. Such a beautiful grouping of pictures Linda, I enjoyed every single one! Congrats to Jenn for graduating from nursing school, and raising four children, wow, my hats off to her! And such sweet precious grandchildren you have... so much to be thankful for! Happy New Year to you!

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    1. Happy New Year! Marilyn, let's see what paths God leads us onto in the months ahead! I'm looking forward ...

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