The Family Christmas

Well, like I said, my family knows how to stretch out a celebration.
The day after Christmas was set to be our "Family Christmas" day.
My brother, Brian, and his family (Gayle and not-so-baby Mary) were there, as well as my sister Jeanette and her family (hubby Jeremy, and sons Dalton and Baby Max.) My "aunt" Laura came down for the weekend, too. My other sister Shelli and her family couldn't make it from Phoenix, but she called during the commotion good time to join in the fun.

And fun was had by all, of course!
Aunt Laura entertained Max while we got the brunch food ready.



Jeanette cooked the eggs while Greg sliced up the brisket we brought.


Jeremy had made Max cry while changing his diaper, so Auntie Rah-Rah had to come to the rescue!


and Mary was curious about Maggie. She's always been afraid of Maggie, but today she really wanted to play with her..it just took some time to warm up to her.


As usual, the food was all delicious, but Max was fussy while we ate so Jeremy tried to pacify him with a candy cane!

MMMM...good stuff!!

As soon as brunch was over, Mary was getting anxious!!

*Can we open presents now??

She got to play Santa and pass out the gifts.


Everyone waited patiently...we must be very loved b/c there were a lot of pressies!



*let me at it, let me at it!!


*Maggie was curious about the presents, too!


*are you SURE this group was on the "good list"?


*Trey didn't let a few staples and stitches curb his enthusiasm!


*C'MON ALREADY!!! Where's my present???


*Mary gets braver around Maggie. When Maggie started licking her hand, Mary proclaimed..."IT TICKLES!". She loved it!


*This bag is WAY better than any present I can open! (Seriously..Max wanted nothing but that bag handle no matter what toy his mom put in front of him!)


*Auntie Carolyn embroidered a blankie for Molly


*Matthew came away with a pretty good haul, too.

And yes..those are really Little Debbie cakes in the box.
Aunt Laura gives each of us a box of Little Debbies every year! She's done this forever and it's become tradition. The year Molly was 3, she started gathering up all the boxes after they were opened and putting them in Granny's pantry b/c that's where Granny keeps her oatpies! She was so cute! We still tease about having to guard our Debbies so Molly doesn't put them all away for us!

Yes, a good time was had by all...

*see?

Granny even got Maggie a present...a pink ruffled hoodie...


that Auntie Carolyn (who lives in Alabama and is granny's best friend) embroidered with Maggie's name on it.


Isn't she stylin??


Even Greg enjoyed himself

Our family is a bit overwhelming for some people who aren't use to crazy close-knit families....but he's starting to "get it"!

Then came time for the "picture of all the grandkids together".
Mary did not want to participate.


Maggie wasn't so sure either!


Trying again...(note Mary's pouty face)


one last chance...this is as good as it gets

*Dalton's face cracks me up!

At that point, we'd had about all the good time we could stand. Kids were ready for naps, Poppa was ready for some quiet....
Jeremy and Greg needed to get back to their respective towns to go to work...
We loaded up our cars and started heading for home.

My kids stayed there to spend the week with their dad and my parents.
The ride back to Hope was quiet! Maggie slept all the way...she was worn out!

It had been another successful family gathering! A bit loud, but no blood drawn, no ill feelings....
Everyone was happy with their gifts and left with full bellies.
Definitely a success!

and now, it's time to

May the rest of our 2009 be as happy as our Christmas was!