Saturday, December 11, 2010

That Brannen Bunch


The picture above is of Bonnie Jones Brannen and all five children and their spouses. We do clean up now and then. ☻

Wow! Mom really did it this year. She arranged for us to have a party in the Walden's Club on the 21st floor of the Bank of America building in Chattanooga. It was an elite place for those who move in higher social circles. Is that why I felt so awkward? O.K.... I heard that, Jack. I know I'm always awkward. The menu was totally Cajun cuisine. My Oh My! I dun tol y'all tree ah two time arready! Food ta mak yo tung slap da roofa yo mout! Sho nuff!


Raymond (sister Donice's mate) reading Scripture for the devotional. Wil to the extreme left. Michael to extreme right.


The gorgeous view of the mountains from the room we were in. This picture caught the reflection of the golden curtains which decorate the room.


A different view from the same room, overlooking a part of the city of Chattanooga.


Starting to open gifts!


After dinner of red-beans and rice, gumbo, fruit, veggie medly, shrimp, and foods I didn't partake of, topped off by cake, custard and banana pudding, we played games and exchanged gifts.


Raymond and Donice


Janis, Wil, Melody, Bonita - playing the game!


Frances, Fred, Mom - opening gifts! The hat plays "Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer"!


Lowell, Janis, Wil, Melody


Mom really seemed pleased with this gift. The dolls sing in harmony - and the music is activated by pressing their belly buttons.


My sister Bonita and husband Michael


Brother Lowell and wife Janis


Brother Wil strikes his "Grandpa Jones" pose. It's incredible how much he looks like our Grandpa Jones.

6 comments:

George said...

It looks as if you had a wonderful time with your family. It's wonderful that you can all get together to celebrate Christmas. Our family is so widely scattered that we have to settle for phone calls. By the way, you look great in that hat.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Oh How Neat, Fred..... Love your HAT..... Looks like a great time was had by all. I'm sure your Mom was thrilled to have all of her kids together... How special is that!!!!! I don't have much family left --and my immediate family is spread out all over the country. We don't ever see enough of each other. So glad you all got to share this special time together. AND thanks for sharing it with us.
Betsy

Ginny Hartzler said...

What wonderful pictures, I can literally feel the joy and fun right through the screen! Those singing dolls, I have seen them in the store, there are several kinds, and I couldn't decide which to get they were all so cute!

jack69 said...

Awwww Fred, Mama done out did herself. Y'all was in tall cotton I gotta say. Love your hat! Looks like you guys had a great time. Mama knows how to plan big, but she has been around a long time and paid attention.

Great pictures and yes great views from up there.
Merry Christmas to you, Frances and family. Kiss Mama for us!

(I love that cajun talk!)

Deborah said...

Hi! I love looking at family pictures! You have a nice family.
Yes,you did guess the dogs, The husky and an Australian Cattle Dog. I heard that people call them blue healer.
He was my dad's dog and I adopted him after he passed away. She is a great dog and a great companion!
Thanks for visiting! I would join your blog, but I can't figure out where to join. Maybe it's private?
Have a good day and thanks for visiting. Deborah

~mel said...

I could just feel the love reading the post. Momma done good! AND yes ~ ya'll clean up good too!! Thanks for sharing... and happy holidays to you and yours!

About Me

My photo
Cleveland, TN, United States
I am Fred Alton Brannen, the son of Louis A. Brannen (deceased) and Bonnie Jones Brannen, Louis was an Ordained Bishop with the Church of God. Bonnie is an Ordained Licensed Minister and at 89 years of age is still actively engaged in speaking and singing engagements. I am married to the former Frances Hildreth. We celebrated 53 years of marriage this past June and we are the parents of 3, grand-parents of 10, and great-grandparents of 10. I pastored in Tennessee for 24 years and served the Church in some capacity in missions for over 23 years. I retired from full-time ministry in August of 2008 but remain active, speaking and singing and teaching whenever opportunity affords itself. In January of 2010 I received a letter of commendation for having been credentialed as a minister in the Church of God for 50 years! My family is very important to me. Our get togethers are always noisy affairs and most times will include family sing-alongs. The children love their Mom's cooking so we have the privilege of seeing them regularly! WE LOVE having them over.

TheCabin on Day One

TheCabin on Day One
Fred Alton