Christmas eve was here at home with Mike and the kids. We enjoyed Mike's wings, seafood and pretzel wraps. Then we read about baby Jesus. We opened gifts. Then we watched a movie called "Big Miracle". It was a story about whales and really good. Christmas time with our family is special!
Stocking stuffers are always fun!
A new jacket for Mike and DVD's on American history.
Christmas Day ...
We were with the Lapp family first. We slept in a little on Christmas morning and then I got the mashed potatoes and roast filling in the oven to heat. We all got showered and dressed up to go to Daudy Lapp's for 12:15 lunch!
Mom had the table spread long in the basement. Pretty dishes and all the food smelled great! The kids sat at a separate table right next to the adults and after prayer, we all dug into the food! Mom's ham is the best! She puts this yummy cloves, sweet sauce over it! We had an awesome salad and lots of other delicious foods! The children just don't ever seem to sit for long. They ate and wanted to go play. Some of us ate dessert right away and then others waited till after the dishes were done.
Steve's had another Christmas dinner to go to after lunch, so they received their gifts first and they were off to more family and friends. The rest of us did the dishes and then we sang a few Christmas songs. Now, it was our turn to get some gifts. We don't exchange names but mom and dad give everyone something. The kids are first. Then us adults only do a 'now you have it, now you don't'. Always fun to see which gifts are wanted most. :)
Then we were lazy and enjoyed each other's company. We did start with some games. Of course, Settlers and some other card games. The boys were busy driving their new remote trucks all around the basement. Ashlyn opened up her kitchen appliances and her and Hunter played with them a long time. The men and boys went outside and shot clay birds. They all love to do this!
It wasn't long before we all started snacking again. NOT because we didn't have a huge lunch, no, but because the snack looked great! Mom's oyster soup was a hit again too.
It was late till we got back home but we had fun! Thanks mom and dad for hosting us!
....................................................................
The next day was another day with family. My family this time. We slept in a bit and then I got more mashed potatoes in the oven for lunch. Mike delivered small food gifts to the neighbors while the rest of us got ready to leave. We headed down to dad's for 11:00 lunch. Mom always goes all out! The table was spread out long for everyone to sit together. The food smelled and tasted great! We did the dishes and the kids kept asking when we can do the gifts. :/ We all gathered in mom's big kitchen and started with the youngest. Dad's gave us all gifts too. We are blessed beyond measure!
The girls with their dolls.
The kids played together. They love cousin time! The girls all played with their new dolls from dad's. Later in the afternoon, Morgan started with another headache. The night before she didn't sleep well from a headache. Tony's decided to take her to the ER to check things out. Her headaches were unusual. They sat in the hospital a couple hours and finally got the good results of nothing to be concerned about. They came back to dad's to eat more of Dad's great food! Mom made ribs. Dad made crab legs on the cooker outside. Oyster soup. Shrimp. Blackened Salmon. So yummy!
We always play lots of games! This year it was Scum and Seven Up/Seven Down. Then Snitch It. Another late out for us but again such fun!
.........................................................
By the next day, the family room looked like a dumping station. The tree was in need of a cleaning up with no more presents under it. The house was dirty and needed cleaned. The laundry was overflowing the hampers. The day at home was great and to organize was fun! We are all just in a merrier mood when the sun shines and it was shining bright! :) Saturday night, we heated up leftovers and watched another family movie together. (After playing some games.)
Sunday was church and then we relaxed. Matthew made a new friend and went home with him after church. We met up with him at Jr & Loreens and they had us for supper last night. Fellowship was fun!
The kids are off of school all week! I am going to have to find some projects for them to do! We are looking forward to more time with friends over the New Year celebration!!!
