Family tradition! Is the answer to why we gathered together tonight. We met at my Uncle Rick and Aunt Pam’s home with just their kids and grandkids and my family. (only half of the Kinnersley family). We had dinner and a “surprise visitor” who brought each child (an almost 20 year old, Kjersti, included) a present. Anna was the first one called. She was so excited to sit on Santa’s lap, but didn’t feel the need to tell him what she wanted because Oo-Dah, our elf, already has. Eventually though she told him a Dora Kitchen. He gave her a "Littlest Pet Shop” with a bunny, dog, and cat whom Anna named that night. (: Maddie was tentative to sit on his lap, but didn’t cry like I thought she would. She got a Mickey Mouse musical instrument set. It was adored right away as well.
A bit of a history for Anna and Maddie to know the importance of this evening…
My Dad’s Mother was the youngest of nine children. My dad grew up having parties with the “Peterson” side of the family and ALL the cousins. He has very fond memories. Once the family outgrew a home they began meeting at a ward building. I grew up going to these large Peterson parties with over 125 people . It would always be earlier in the month of December. We had to be all dressed up in Sunday best, hair curled tight and looking our best, why.. well to meet Santa of course! Actually that is just my Mom, she always wanted us to look nice.
There were 9 Peterson children and the defendants from each separate family took a turn hosting the event. I remember the years that the “Kinnersleys” were in charge. My mom and dad were busy making name tags and desserts. We ALWAYS had WAY TOO many desserts, but besides Santa it was the one thing we looked forward to. Name tags? yes, the family was so big it was a must. One year each “family” (the original Peterson’s cousins and their families) had color coordinated- shaped name tags, like angels, candy canes, Santa's, bells, etc. My Dad had made a big poster to give all the info of which tag “your” family should have. I don’t know why I remember that, but I remember my Dad trying to get them all organized and we cut them out. Most of the time we would just go and sit by our own cousins, every once in a while we would talk to the others. It got to that awkward, Family reunion stage, and we all voted to change to smaller families.
So now we get together with those of the Kinnersley Family that can come. Even with just us, if we were all to get together, my “Nana,” Mildred, would have over 17 grandchildren and over 50 great grandchildren (I actually don’t have a full count, it could be lots more). So the sweet Peterson family has a wonderful legacy!
