It’s been ages since I joined in with Susanne’s Friday’s Fave Five but this morning I’m going to post some favorites from my time with family last Thursday thru Saturday in Southern California. And because I’m overwhelmingly blessed with a wonderful family there will be more than Five photos! I’m a rebel that way…
The reason for my trip down was to meet my new little nephew Andrew (he’s 5). My brother’s family lives in Texas and they were flying to California for Miss Hope’s 7th birthday and a trip to Disneyland and my extended family filled in all the edges of their trip with parties and fun. Andrew became a part of their forever family last August and is already a U.S. Citizen. He was adopted from the Ukraine. He now sings God bless America! So cute. I’ll share more photos from Miss Hope’s birthday party later.
Fresh off the plane last week I met up with Dear’s SIL, Christina, and my best friend from college days Heidi. Heidi, Christina, Dear, Dear’s brother and I were all in a Christian Rock Band in the seventies. Heidi and I attended the same Russian Baptist Church in Los Angeles and had lots of adventures together! We caught up as much as we could in our couple hours together.
What a blessing to spend some time with my soon to be 92 year old pop. He’s a sad guy without my mom by his side.
He was surrounded by some of his grandchildren at Hope’s birthday party.
Josh and Laura took the long way home to Seattle from their trip to Kaui through Southern California so they could meet Andrew, too, and visit with my pop and their cousins.
All my pop’s kids except for one were together in one spot so we took some photos.
Our youngest siblings, the twins, are flanking my father on the couch.
I love this photo of my older sisters and I love them, too.
Andrew is fitting right in and it’s so much fun to listen to his half Ukrainian and half English sentences!
When we all got together this time my Father prayed a blessing over his new grandson Andrew and over his great grandson Thomas. My brother thanked all his friends and family for praying them through the adoption process and helping financially to bring Andrew to the U.S.A. We all sang Great is Thy Faithfulness and another of our Russian favorites together acknowledging the fact that God is the faithful one in our lives. Of course we had lots of good food and good conversation and laughter.
So I’m thankful for my Faithful God, my faithful pop, my family, my friends, and all our fun times together! We’re not perfect, mind you, but we have practiced forgiving each other and keeping our relationships going. We try not to neglect each other. What are you thankful for?
The Happy Wonderer ~ ellen b. 
What a wonderful time with your family!! You were in a Christian Rock Band??!! Now that is something I totally would not have guessed about your past. What a fun tidbit about you!
Lovely photos Ellen.. What a wonderful family
I remember how sad my dad was after losing mum…it was heartbreaking. Your pop looks marvelous for 92
Have a fabulous weekend
Phoebe x
You have such a wonderful family, Ellen! They, and especially Andrew, are l blessings to each other. I see so much of your Mother in your older sisters, and your Father looks great. God bless.
A beautiful family reunion. And wonderful pictures.
What a wonderful family gathering and some precious moments and memories made. Blessings.
I love your “thankfuls” … and the truth on what it takes to be a happy family. . .
forgiveness and no to neglect each other.
What a wonderful, wonderful gathering! Such a blessing in so many ways. Thankful for your new ones and your father being able to be there with everyone else.
how wonderful that you got to be with your extended family, pop amd siblings! the little boy is just precious!! happy FFF!
Enjoyed the thankful post from my favourite thankful rebel!
That was such a beautiful post, Ellen. I like to see your sisters in your photos and remember the day that I met them, and you. You have the ‘secret’ for family togetherness – such a simple formula, but hard for so many to do. Bless you, your Pop and your family.
Hi Ellen, its always lovely to celebrate family and thanks for sharing it with us. Beautiful photos, beautiful family.
I’m guessing your nephew must speak Ukranian/Russian?
such a blessing to be bilingual.
Great family pictures ! That’s nice to be all together ! Your Dad looks still very good for his age !
Thank you for visiting my blog. What a blessing your family and cute Andrew must be!
Nice of you to join us for FFF, Ellen — these are certainly worth celebrating. With your family spread far and wide, it’s amazing that so many could gather! And what an encouragement for your adopting brother and his wife!
I’m glad you had the opportunity to have so much fun and time with your family.
what a nice crew! sweet to soak in family time. 🙂
Beautiful! Your father must be so proud of his growing family. He reminds me of all patriarchs who put their trust in Jesus. They say blessings and keep their families in prayer. Every family should have one.
Oh Ellen – such a sweet post about your famjam! Your older sisters resemble your mom so much! You are a rebel with a cause! Many more blessings to your pop – he looks so great.
I could feel the family love through your posting….and those happy faces. What a neat time you all had together. I’m sure your pop is still reliving the memories of that time together. Oh the joys family brings to the hearts of us parents…at any age.
I’m so glad you “rebelled” and posted these wonderful family photos! Heartwarming!
Yes, great is His faithfulness!
What a lovely family get-together with a sweet new nephew to be welcomed in. He is blessed to join your family Ellen – and I’m sure he will be a blessing to you all. And your sweet Pop looks fabulous. Whenever I see his picture on fb, I pray the Lord will comfort him in the loss of your dear mother. xxoo