FOURTH AND FINAL CHRISTMAS!!!!!

Friday night some of the older children came home to celebrate Christmas. By 7:00, we had everyone here except Tobin & Erin (we missed you two). We had a late dinner and then opened Christmas Eve gifts. Each year we give everyone a new pair of pajamas. After the little ones were put to bed, we played a game of gift wrapping (thanks Miss O. for your idea). Each couple had to put their arm around the other one and wrap a gift with only one hand each. Dad & I were the judges to see whose gift was wrapped the best.

The couples were Dan & Emily, Luke & Lacey, Betsey & Micah, and finally, Zachary & Elyse. The first prize went to Luke & Lacey. The second prize went to Emily & Dan. Emily & Dan decided to put a "bow" on the top of the gift and we all made fun of it and pretended like that made them come in second place. Actually, the two winners were pretty much tied, but there had to be a decision some how. It was fun watching them wrap their gifts and struggling with only one hand each.

Dan & Emily - second place winners.

Luke & Lacey - first place winners.

Betsey & Micah - third place.

Zachary & Elyse - fourth place - but great effort!

Saturday, we had our Christmas celebration. Lots of gifts, games, food and fun. It was a great time. The gifts were a hit (which always makes Christmas more exciting). Our "new" tradition is to have a huge brunch on Christmas, instead of turkey and the whole fixings. So, we had eggs, poppy seed bread, pumpkin tea bread, sticky buns, juice and milk. When it was all on the table, Tim said, "Where's the sausage or bacon?" I guess I can't remember everything. We were so full from our brunch, that the planned lasagna for dinner went out the window. We changed our plans to spaghetti. It was faster to make and much less filling.

It was fun to have all the grandkids here (including George, Emily & Dan's dog). Ava is NOT trying to walk, but we tried to encourage her anyway. She took eight steps once, until she remembered she didn't want to walk and she went back to crawling. She climbed into the duplo box and had a blast throwing them out one at a time.

Before Emily & Dan went home on Saturday, Emily had a craft time with Elyse. Here is their project - amazing!

Emily & Dan went home Saturday night. But the rest of us stayed and played "Balderdash." It was fun for some of us. Others didn't follow the rules, exactly.

Sunday, we all jammed into two cars and went to church. Grace and Caleb aren't used to sitting through the worship service (they have children's church) so it was a new thing for them. They did GREAT! Caleb was so cute. During his coloring, he would comment on what the Pastor was saying. So, he WAS listening. Then we had donut time (my kids favorite part of church). Sunday School was next. The grandkids all went to their respective classes. Caleb looked like he was going to be o.k. But, he wasn't. Ten minutes into Sunday School Caleb's teacher brought him to us. He played at the table with my scrip cards, coloring, and my mirror. He was pretty good. One of the people scraped the floor with their chair and Caleb started laughing saying, "Someone tooted!"

During lunch, we asked Caleb why he didn't stay in his Sunday School class. He said he was sad. We asked why he was sad and he said, "I tooted, and I was embarrassed." What a funny kid! After lunch, Luke's family packed up and went home. Betsey & Micah left around 4:30. Betsey will be shopping for wedding dresses, etc., in Ft. Wayne and South Bend. I will meet her in South Bend on Wednesday to shop and then bring her home.

We will be doing alot of traveling this week. Wednesday to South Bend, and Thursday to Grand Rapids to celebrate Tim's birthday and for me to watch Luke's children. Maybe we will have another update after that - maybe not.