Christmas with the Resors

Thursday morning, we left Doris's house and traveled to Bainbridge to visit with the Resor side of the family. David and Judy greeted us at the door of their cabin with hugs and Christmas greetings.

Later, we made Mark's version of mice to share with the rest of the family that were due to arrive soon.

Christmastime always brings with it a plethora of fun and games while visiting and catching up on what has been transpiring in each family member's lives.

The day arrived for giving gifts! It has become a tradition in the family to have a homemade gift exchange. It is always so interesting to see what each person has crafted for the one name they drew the previous year. There are always creative ideas!

Sunday, we were able to attend worship together. The family filled a bunch of pews!

We celebrated the New Year by playing games and having fun until midnight. We threw home-made confetti into the air and what a scene it made! After clean-up, we visited a while longer before retiring to our pallets all throughout the cabin.

After saying our goodbyes the next morning, we left for the long trek back home. Although we had a wonderful visit, there's no place like home!

Christmas with the McDaniels

We were able to spend considerable time in Ohio visiting with family over the Christmas season. The six hour trip took us to our old stomping grounds~ and what a wonderful time we had visiting with extended family!

First stop. . . the McDaniel side of the family. Dennis and his family were there when we arrived at Doris' home and we all fellowshipped and visited with each other until bedtime. The next day the rest of the family gathered to celebrate Christmas together. Good food is always a part of the festivities!Each place setting was adorned with precious little chocolate mice created by Jennifer and Joel. They were a great surprise to Mark as he had also planned to make identical delicious little creatures with all who wanted to participate!

Following our meal we enjoyed the fun of White Elephant gifts. What festivity!We each were given papers with words from the book, The Night Before Christmas. While Doris read aloud, we arose when our word was read to choose from the pile of White Elephant gifts. It was very entertaining! Throughout the evening, we enjoyed more good food and played a variety of games!

And more games. . .

And more games!

One of the days visiting with the McDaniel side of the family, we were able to minister to the good people in Mamaw Skagg's apartment building with Christmas music and songs. Afterward, we retired upstairs to continue our visit and enjoy some very entertaining stories!

Another day, we took a reminiscing trip and were able to re-visit many of the places that both Mark and Rhonda remembered as children and young adults. We were even able to tour the house where Trey, Amanda, and Rachel spent the early years of their childhood, thanks to the graciousness of the Hamilton Family. While there, we stopped by Bob and Jane's, our good neighbors still living across the creek!It had been several years since we had visited with them. We played some music, sang, and talked. It was great catching up!

Carmi Christian church Senior Christmas Banquet

What a joyful time we had singing for the Senior Fellowship group from Carmi Christian church for their Christmas banquet. We spent our meal in great Christian fellowship and enjoyed talking with those of like precious faith. The Christmas atmosphere and the beautiful decorations all added to the moment of it all. Our Christmas music went well with all of the festive red shirts that the audience was wearing. We enjoyed our time!

Babies Have Arrived!!!!

What joy it is on the farm when babies commence! The sounds in the barnyard are ones of delight! After a correct prediction on Rachel's part, Cinnamon, a Nubian goat had her babies Thursday, December 20th, early in the morning. She gave birth to twins, one black and white buckling, and one brown and white doeling. Baby goats are so sweet! We all are very excited and know that the babies are in good hands, as Cinnamon is a very protective mama.

Baby rabbits are being born as well. Two does had their kits last week, and are raising them quite well. They are starting to get a little fur on their bodies. How cute!

HMHD Catered Christmas

This morning we arrived at HMHD cafeteria to provide music for their catered employee Christmas meal. From 11-1p, employees took their various lunch hour breaks and enjoyed a catered meal while the McDaniel Family provided instrumental as well as a Capella music.
There were Christmas gift drawings and prizes for the employees, part of which were the beautiful wreaths adorning the various walls and windows.We had a splendid time playing and singing for the good folk of the hopsital!

Reminiscing at WMCL

"The Cuz," better known to Southern Illinois listeners as Cuzin Eddie, invited the McDaniel Family to return to sing on his morning radio show on WMCL 1060 AM.


We walked through the door early Thursday morning and were greeted by the familiar smiling face of Edna. We forgot to bring our camera and so found a few pictures in our archives to share.

Cuzin Eddie had his old time radio in progress at the time so we waited and caught up on the latest news with Edna. Soon, it was our time to go on the air!

We were greeted by Cuzin Eddie and his Re-creation Players and set up the instruments and readied our music while we reminisced about the "good old days" when "Miss Rhonda" co-hosted the Cuzin Eddie show and Trey, Amanda, and Rachel all helped as needed in production and live entertainment. It was a wonderful season of opportunity for the McDaniel Family to volunteer and serve the community and the Southern Illinois listening area.

We sang a variety of Christmas and winter songs to kick off the season and laughed and enjoyed our time spent entertaining and reminiscing with good friends.

Hamilton Memorial Nursing Center Christmas Party

Santa Claus is comin' to town, and his first stop was at Hamilton Memorial Nursing Center on Sunday, December 9. Our family was invited to sing a few Christmas carols in expectation of the arrival of Santa Claus who was bringing gifts to all of the residents. All of the resident's families had gathered to help them celebrate the spirit of Christmas and were visiting merrily with each other as we sang a few numbers. Here Comes Santa Claus rang loud as every one helped us sing, calling Santa Claus in bringing gifts for all. What joy it brings to give gifts!