A Family Christmas. .Take One

Well, this past weekend we officially started our Christmas get togethers. .with my family. We had a very short visit on Thanksgiving. .so we were excited to have a longer weekend to hang out. We always have a good time!

This was the cutest photo of the weekend. .Grant and my sister. And the first photo was our annual attempt to get 13 kids to look and smile at the same time. .you can see we failed once again. .unless someone else did better than I did. Oh well. The weather was gorgeous. .but did we make it outside to get a complete family photo. .NO. .they voted to wait until the snow was flying or when the temps were 10 below 0 like they were last year when my mom I-N-S-I-S-T-E-D that we go O-U-T-S-I-D-E! But I'm not bitter or anything :-)

The gift exchange was postponed until right after lunch so my brother could watch Pittsburg State University win the playoffs. Every time someone asked what time we were opening presents, they got the standard answer. ."Call Uncle Brendan and ask him!!" The kids opened gifts first. .and then we sent them elsewhere (like to the table to try out their new stuff). .

. .And the big kids congregated in a little bit of peace!

A peace only interrupted by little girls making sure everyone sported super soft, glossy lips. .

. .and by little girls stealing pieces of other people's bubble wrap.

My only living grandparent joined us for the day. .and we helped her try out her new winter scene puzzle. I apparently got my love of puzzles from her. .and had planned to break one out at our house this week for everyone to work on during the quieter evenings!

Auntie Mel LOVES little kid projects. .and she saw an idea to make snowmen pretzels the day before she left.

So, she accumulated the ingredients. .and the kids. .and, with the help of her sis in law Tina. .who graciously photographed the opportunity. .

. .and Grandma and Aunt Kristi. .they proceeded to have a GREAT time!

Everyone got their own pretzel rod freshly dipped in white almond bark by yours truly. .

And a handful of M&M baking bits for buttons, mini chocolate chips for eyes. .and their choice of a DOT candy (cause Walmart in Wichita DOESN'T even CARRY gumdrops. .ever. .let alone the only season where they are essential to gingerbread houses and snowman hats alike!!) and a gummy lifesaver to make the hats.

Teegan worked until he figured out that people were spilling lots of candies on the floor. .Yes. .we were doing it in the living room. .with carpet. .

that's what my mom said too!!

Even 18 month old Ryder helped out. .for a bit!! I'm sure that you have noticed that we used an ABSOLUTE cleanliness policy. .NO licking of the fingers took place. .I'm sure they were just itching their lips. .All of them!

When we finished creating our snowmen, we took fruit by the foot roll ups and made little scarves!!

Most of them turned out cute. .and the kids had a ball!! When we ran out of hat pieces because the big kids were sneaky and heisted some of them. .we just put on buttons and eyes. .and more chocolate. Everyone took home a bag of snowmen and other various creatures and creations crafted from pretzel pieces, white chocolate, and leftover candies.

Aunt Kristi made sure the carpets were cleaned up before Grandma had a heart attack. .

No vacuums needed here :-) This was Aunt Tina's best shot of the night :-) BUSTED!

While we created. .the rest of the family enjoyed sipping and visiting!

And Papa did what Papa does best!

Some enjoyed a movie on Grandma's bed. .

. .while others enjoyed a rousing game of QUARTERS. .now my children know how to play poker. .and how to play quarters!! And there is some speculation that Tristan has been practicing the game. .I choose to think that he is just naturally gifted!

6 more nights. .Hope you're all on the "nice" list!!