Pete & Diana Downey Family & Global Downey-Parks
Website
Visit Tom & Tina Cummins' Carrigmore Farm and their Self-catering Irish Farm
House
...
http://www.carrigmorefarm.com
Riley's Visit with Santa
At 2 1/2, this is the first Christmas where Riley Rose
really understands the magic of Santa Claus.
Matt and Kristy said that she ran right up to him when
it was her turn. She had no shyness as she finally got to tell him
her Christmas list.
She had told her Grandma Diana that Santa Claus was
"...really a big deal. You tell him what you want for Christmas,
and he brings it."
Now the magic of Christmas awaits Santa's arrival as she
awakens in her bed on Christmas morning.
Christmas Day
As Riley came bouncing in the door, she told Grandma
Diana with big eyes, "I woke up and went out to the tree. And he
brought everything I wanted. Santa is amazing!"
Ah, the magic of Christmas. But for some reason dad,
Matt, needed a Christmas nap on the couch...something about 4 in the
morning, and a lot of screws in a "Dora the Explorer" kitchen.
We had all of our family, spouses, and Riley's grandma
Jamie for Christmas gifts and dinner. A good time was had by all.
The Downey's Night Before Christmas
For Riley Rose, and for
children of all ages, who can still wonder at the Joy of this Season
T'was the night before Christmas, when all through the
house,
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
Riley helped Grandma hang the balls on the tree,
It was time for Santa's visit, to everyone's glee.
All the stockings were hung by the chimney
with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be
there.
The Christ Child was resting, in his straw
bed,
While Joseph and Mary watched over his head.
The table was set for the family feast,
The 3 wise men were led by the Star of the
East.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the
roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I ran down the stairs, and was turning
around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a
bound.
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to
his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with
ashes and soot.
His eyes-how they twinkled, his dimples how
merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a
cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a
bow,
And the beard of his chin was a white as the
snow.
He spoke not a word but went straight to his
work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned
with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!
I heard him exclaim, 'ere he drove out of
sight.
"Merry Christmas to all and to all a
good-night."
So from our home to yours, we share God's
blessings and cheer.
A Merry Christmas to all, and a Happy New
Year.
Diana's Christmas Letter - Sweet Background Music
In all the big
events that happen every year, I have learned that it is the small
moments that I treasure the most.
Maybe as we grow older, we learn that
the big dramatic events are wonderful, but too far between. This year
was and will be filled with big events exciting and much anticipated.
BUT my background music moments will be
the ones that I will remember long after the moment.
My kids and their spouses all coming
through the door, laughing together after their night in Savannah on a
haunted tour of the city.
Their long nights laughing and talking
in the hot tubs beneath our condo window.
Riley running to her Papa Pete when he
enters the room with just one word PAPA.
Sitting around the kitchen table with my
grown children and one grandchild talking and trying to make Christmas
ornaments. Jeff, I really do think yours was the best.
Riley telling me secrets in the dark
after we were in bed on her sleep-overs. Her singing herself to
sleep...How truly wonderful.
Riley's and my first trip to the
library, when she told a whopper to the other kids. And without a
bit of hesitation, I backed her up when she said, "I play the piano.
Don't I Grandma?"
When you are writing about the back
ground music, not the song, it can go on forever; and what a joy it all
is.
So for those I have visited with, and
places I have visited, you are not forgotten or go unloved. You
are also the sweet background music of a very lovely life.
Take care and God bless with your own
sweet music until we meet again,
Merry Christmas from the Bill Downey Family
Bill and Jeanne Downey sent a picture of their whole
family, who are all in St. Louis for the holiday. Bill said that
this is a rare occasion to get everyone together for a picture.
Bill and Jeanne are now up to 7 grandkids. From left to right,
Jeff and Maggie Potter family, Bill and Jeanne, Bill and Kerri Downey
family, Sung and Kate Han family, and Joe Downey and fiance Lisa Eidson.
Bill wishes all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Our Jeff
Downey commented that 17 people must be a lot for Christmas dinner, and
Bill confirms that there are indeed a lot of potatoes to mash.
Family Trees
The
Parks-Romick Family Tree goes back to
William and Mary Brewster and the Mayflower.
This includes the
Tree of Royals back
through Margaret Tudor and Henry VII, and on to
William the Conqueror and St. Louis of France..
Family History
Vacation gives U.S Parks-Romick history from our trip back
East.
Geni Downey - Parks Family Tree
This is where we are putting any new family tree data. This is only a
subset of Downey family tree. We'll relay on others to add their
family members. Hopefully this link provides for limited "guest"
viewing without full details. Anyone who wants to add may need an
invitation as a member of the tree. Just let me know the email you
want to use of access. We avoid details such as birthdays for
living members
for privacy.
Archives
Downeys
Downunder 2009 Trip & Reunion
Lee
Parks Memorial
Marguerite Dunn Memorial
Marion Walsh
Memorial
A Visit to the Air
Force Museum
Pete & Diana's
Trip to Ireland, July 2007 - McManus Family History & Carrigmore Visit
