Breaking Bread Together

A long weekend ... a milestone birthday celebration ... an adorable nephew and cousin to be cuddled and loved ... and almost all the family home. When sitting down to break bread together, ten was the minimum number of seats required, and more than double that the maximum.

There was lots of food ... lots of cuddles ... lots of laughter ... lots of dishes ... and lots of love. And now no one can complain that they have not been introduced to The Most Charming Grandson#1 (although plenty of complaints abound re not having long enough cuddles).

The introductions (roughly in order over the course of the weekend) ...

With Uncle#4/Son#4 ...

Uncle#2/Son#2 (straight off night shift) ...

Meeting some of the cousins ...

(including The Most Adorable Granddaughter#6 who had made up her mind that she didn't want any more cousins - but who obviously had a change of heart and doesn't she look as proud as punch?) ...

The Most Adorable Granddaughter#7 was a little unsure at first but eventually came around ...

Great-Grandma who had to be carefully watched otherwise she would have cuddled him all day and no one else would have had a chance!

Our eldest grandchild and our youngest grandchild together ...

Extended family got in on the act ...

And, finally, Son#4's fiancee who couldn't make it to the party but did make it in time to cuddle The Most Charming Grandson before he went home ...

Some family members had met The Most Charming Grandson#1 earlier but I had not shared photos in order to minimise the sin of envy within the family circle. Now I can without fear that war will break out. Uncle#5/Son#5 ...

Son#5 and his girlfriend ... 

Uncle#1/Son#1 who made it sound as if the females in his family were the only ones interested in holding the baby and then he was the first one to claim a cuddle! 

The largest gathering of breaking bread together was at the party - which was the excuse for everyone coming together - not that most people needed an excuse ...

And the last laugh goes to The Most Charming Grandson#1 who managed to sleep when everyone else was awake and wake when everyone else wanted to sleep, timed his meal times to interrupt Mum's meal times, and baptised his father, Nana, the floor, and whatever else he could find - all while managing to look angelic.