Hill Country Christmas

My entire life...and that's a while!...my Dad's family has always celebrated Christmas the Saturday before Christmas...and I don't remember ever missing a single one.  It's always the start to our Christmas Celebration.

This is my Grandaddy and Grandmother Hill....where it all started.  He was 14 years older than she...he was 40 when his first child was born and 60 when his eighth child was born.  My Dad is the oldest, James Marion Hill, Jr, aka Pistol to his family.  I've asked a hundred times how he got that nickname and I'm not sure if anyone really remembers, but I keep forgetting all that I've been told!  I'm gonna HAVE to get that written down.

My Dad has a large family, seven brothers and sisters, who are now either grandparents or great-grandparents, so that makes for a rather large gathering....normally around 60.  It's just a big ole potluck, exchanging of the gifts (we still draw names) and lots of catching up with family.  I really enjoy getting to see everyone in one place at the same time.  My grandparents passed away years ago, but I am so thankful everyone makes such an effort to get together each year...it's the only time I see some of my aunts, uncles and cousins.

This is a picture of my Dad's brothers and sisters...all beginning with the letter "J".

Back row:  Jerry Lee, Twins Jane & Judy, JoJo & John
Front Row:  Jackie, my Dad- Jim, aka Pistol to the family, and Joyce



The Hill Cousins

My family has been so blessed...there hasn't been a death in this extended family other than my grandparents: my granddaddy who lived to be 101 and my grandmother died at 87 and a baby that was stillborn more than 40 years ago.  To my knowledge there's no family history of diabetes or cancer...which is this day and age is a miracle.

So thankful for my Hill family.