Some Extra Christmas Fun

We tend to have exciting days @ the H-family Christmas gatherings. You know, the kind of excitement that one would typically not associate with the holidays. It happened again this year when dad/mom's sewer system, in perfect operation for the last 100 years, decided to become plugged. [Mom says it was kind of a crappy Christmas!] So, while the men worked on that project, the ladies & kids headed to a nearby inflatable playzone. Here are pictures of both activities, the details on the first left mostly to your imagination. 

 

 

 

'H' Family Gathering, Christmas 2013

This past weekend we spent with the 'H' family celebrating the holidays. Grandma & Xman played some 'Gone Fishing' while waiting for the rest of the family to arrive. Kara loved on the little ones. Family pictures were captured [i.e. our serious picture looked scarier than our silly one, so you get the silly one here!]. Opened some presents. Played with some toys. The kids all got new socks & hats from grandpa/grandma. Ate peppermint ice cream. Played with cousins.Oh, and Xman got his very own 'real' guitar which made for a big smile. Good times!

Winter-Y Wonderland

The weather on Christmas Day and the day after Christmas was beautifully white & unpredictably mild so the kids bundled up to play outside. Once. And then a few hours later. And then squeezed in some more time before it got dark. And then stayed out in the dark. They couldn't get enough! Here are some shots of their time exploring & imagining in grandpa and grandma's backyard. They even made snow candy [last picture].

 

 

 

'S' Family Gathering, Christmas 2013

We celebrated with the S-Family on Christmas Day & the day after, too. After church on Wednesday, the gang came here for lunch before the SJS-family arrived safely @ the airport after 2-months spent in Germany. [They brought back yummy chocolates for us all]. It was really, really good to be together. More pictures [in the following post] of the outside snowfall & fun that made our time together especially memorable, especially for those from TN who do not get to often play in the snow. 

All the grandkids, minus Anissa. Singing carols before opening gifts. Sweet Savannah gets a real teaset from g&g. The three boys opened their gifts together to discover [toy] bow & arrow sets & targets. So much fun!

 

  

 

 

Christmas Eve & Christmas Morning

We were able to be home together on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day morning so we did stockings before bed on Tuesday night & gifts on Wednesday morning. Xander reminded me on Christmas morning, "Uh, mom. Remember that Christmas is less about getting work done [we were finishing up last-minute details for the family coming over for lunch] and MORE about having fun together [i.e. translation: opening gifts]. 

The biggest hit of his stocking -- the $0.50 Star Wars Angry Birds pencils purchased @ Goodwill. I am hoping the excitement will be enough to make homework WAY MORE fun than its been the last couple of weeks. He also received some pirate's gear (sword & hook) and a really fun clock from the neighbors. 

 

And for breakfast, the requested caramel pecan rolls HOT from the oven. Yummy!