Family Tree Magazine

Today I bought my first copy of Family Tree Magazine.  Lisa Louise Cook talks about it alot on her podcasts (which I love and recommend).  It seemed a little pricey at $8.00 but I'm sure it's worth it.  I've looked at every store I visit just for this magazine.  I finally found it at Border's.  I will look into a subscription after I've looked over the magazine just to make sure I like it.

Sentimental Sunday

I remember Christmases at Grandpa Howard's ranch being so much fun.  All my aunts and uncles plus cousin would travel to Grandma and Grandpa's to have a great meal, visit and catch up plus open gifts.  There always seemed to be a new member to the family usually from the marriage of one of my aunts.  The new member always had a practical joke played on them...everything from men's panty hose with a heart to chocolate covered horse poop in a Fanny Mae box.  It was always so funny.  There was always a football game because most of my cousins were boys.  If there was snow Grandpa would fire up the old farm tractor to hook a sled to.  I remember one year the tractor was broke so he hooked up a rope to his dodge truck.  The other end of the rope had scoop shovels.  We slid acrossed the pond because it was iced over.  Grandma and Grandpa's house always smelled so good...I can't describe the smell but it was nice.  Grandpa would sit in the living room and tell all kinds of stories.  Everyone would crowd in sitting on the couch, 2 recliners, folding chairs and the floor.  I don't remember seeing a football game on the tube but I do remember watching horse programs like horse shows.  Christmas at the Nailer home was a great time.  I was there this past summer (July, 2009) and it's still the same.  Grandpa turned 80 and the whole family came from many states to celebrate.  All the cousins have their own families now so the family has grown alot.  There was only 3 cousins missing from the celebration.  I've been researching Grandpa Howard Nailer's line for about a year now.  I've learned alot about that line and it makes me so proud.  Unfortunately, with lots and lots of family around and lots of plans I really didn't have a chance to talk to grandpa about family history.  I'm hoping I can travel back to Illinois in the next year or so.  I really want to visit before his time is over here on earth.
I hope I can always go back to that house and tell my kids about all the great memories.