Christmas Eve '09

Italian Sandwiches

We had originally decided to take a break from our all time tradition of Italian Pepper Steak Sandwiches this year. Alas, our children would have none of it! Taya and Kevin volunteered to host the event and help with the prep. This worked out well as we want to teach the family the whole tradition and that includes lots of prep time. It was a much smaller group this year as it was just us and our kids with their families. That hasn't happened in a very long time. It was good in that we spent much more time talking to each other but I still really, really missed Kevin and Tracy's family as well as Bob and Sydney's family. We have always included anyone else that was visiting in the mix, but we didn't have any takers this year. I was so happy to note that Bob and Sydney decided to do up the sandwiches at Papa's house. Tracy and Kevin's family went and I have heard glowing reports about the evening. Bob and Syd did their Italian Cream Soda's - which I have yet to sample - and did a great job on the cuisine for the evening as well.



Again, I was not Johnny on the Spot with my camera and missed getting pics as we cooked and ate. I did get the above shot as Emmy was trying to climb up a chair to join the group. As everyone ate their fill at Taya's we were surrounded by happy chaos. To say it was noisy would have been an understatement - but all was well.

The Gift Game

R.B. had suggested earlier that the cousins get a $5 gift to play the White Elephant Game started years ago at Papa and Nana's after the sandwiches. Our limit was $20 and was our family gift exchange. Those were fun years of buying something nice enough that more than one person would want it, and planning your strategy to end up with whatever you were trying to end up with. In the long run though, it didn't really matter what you took home - the giving and the fun was what we remember most. Stacie got the numbers ready to draw and all the cousins drew a number to start. She explained the rules as they listened intently.



Below is Austin as number 1 opening the first gift. You can't really see his face, but he is less than thrilled with the package of friendship bracelets that was revealed. We again explained that someone could "steal" it from him so not to get too resigned yet.




Above is Ryker opening his fist gift. As the kids realized they could indeed take something already opened - they did. Below is Ryker going for another present has his was stolen again.





Aunt Jade posing as Madison so she would get her gift when she came home. She was spending Christmas Eve with Shane and Erin this year. We saved her a sandwich and I could tell she had a great evening with all her parents.






At last all the stealing was done and everyone got something to treasure (or not). The memory is what they will ultimately enjoy and they all had a great time.



Christmas Eve Birthday

Every family should have someone born on Christmas Eve. For us that is Rylan. We love that he was born on such a special day and besides, we know we will get a great dessert with candles after dinner. This year was no exception. R.B. and Stacie brought a wonderful football cake that was a huge hit with everyone. Especially Rylan.




Happy Birthday Rylan. We love you sooooo much!

Our Gift from our Family

Little did we know that our kids had been working on something fabulous for us! Yes, I said Fabulous! As the evening was winding down and parents were thinking about herding their kids to the cars, we were called into the family room for a gift presentation from our kids. We were blown away by what they gave us. A jar for each of us filled with memories, appreciation, and funny things from our children and grandchildren. There were tears. There was heartfelt emotion for the time it took to put all this together. There is appreciation for the idea for this excellent gift. The jars were so pretty, and look wonderful on our end table at the cabin.



The instructions were to read a note a day and they would likely last the year. I, being the rebel that I am did not do the directions. I read my whole jar the next day, and Grumpy's a few days later. I have to say there are no words to express how we feel when we read our little notes. Priceless memories, insight, thoughts of love and appreciation, and laughter at things done in the past. Even though I have read them, I will get one out a day and re-read as the year goes by. I might even read a bunch on a day I need to feel them close.

We love our gift - Thank you so much.