Christmas in Flippin

Christmas afternoon we went to my parents' house for more holiday fun!  We missed having Lane there with us, but the kids and I had a good time seeing everyone.

We got there about 3:30, and the kids anxiously watched the door until almost 5:00 when their cousins arrived.  They were so excited to see them, plus we were waiting to open presents until everyone was there.  So as soon as they walked in the door the whirlwind began--all of Dad's side of the family was coming over for dinner around 5:30, so we were rushing around to get ready for that too.  My Grandparents were there at this point, but in the craziness I forgot to take a picture of the kids with them.  

The kids got new boots, which they were all happy about.  (Alexee's have gold glitter stripes!)  Rhett got a new briefcase because the one he's had for a few years had a broken latch that kept getting stuck.  (Doesn't every 10 year old boy want a briefcase?) :)

Then Dad took them out to his shop to show them their other gift that wasn't wrapped:  these great remote controlled cars!  (And I think maybe he was just as excited about the cars as the grandkids.) :) He had charged all the batteries and had the cars and corresponding remotes labeled so they wouldn't get mixed up.  He went though a brief training/demonstration (a few sentences in Alexee told him she already knew how to do it--ha!) and he promised they'd use them the next morning.  They went out early the next day and everyone seemed to get the hang of operating them.  They kept Dad very busy recharging batteries, helping them with the remotes, etc. but they had a great time playing with their new toys!

Then everyone came over and it was time for Christmas dinner.  We had lots of yummy food.  I took one of my favorite fruit dishes, a recipe I got from my friend Becca when Rhett was a baby.

Grape Salad

4 cups red grapes

4 cups green grapes

Wash grapes and be sure to let them dry completely.

Cream together then toss with the grapes:

8 oz. cream cheese, softened

8 oz. sour cream

1/2 cup sugar

Sprinkle with 1/2 cup packed brown sugar and 1 cup chopped pecans.  

Refrigerate until serving.

We had a full house this year...42 people if I counted correctly.  It was so nice to see everyone. 

I hadn't seen Mack in two years--so glad he was able to come home.

Above:  Grandmother and Aunt Judy

Below:  Dad and his siblings--they always go to the piano after dinner.  I love to hear them sing.

We decided to try to do a few group photos before everyone had to leave.  This is eight of the eleven grandkids, L to R:  Mack, Tracie, Stacie, Micaela, Karen, Sharmin, Lance & me (we missed Carol, Carrie & Jerry Dean)

And this is including the great-grandkids, L to R:  Kristian, Ally, Landrey, Maggy, Luke, Austin, Katelyn, Crosby, Rhett, Landon, Alexee, Jaiden, Bennett, Logan, Jeryn & Casey (we missed Brian & Justin...and did I forget anyone!?)

Greg, Janice, Dad, Judy, Jerry

Plus wives and Grandmother & Granddad (mom's parents--I'm so glad they always come over too!) 

Whew--a busy but fun evening!  I love our big family and I'm thankful for each person!

*****

A few more photos from our visit...

We loved meeting my sister's new puppy.  He's 8 weeks old and SO CUTE!  I think all the activity made him tired.  He kept getting sleepy when we held him.  Look how sweet he is sleeping in Alexee's arms!  

And Alexee was very happy to find out that Mo had a new kitten at the barn.  It's unusual for kittens to be born this time of year I guess...this is the only one that survived.  Mom brought it to the house for just a little while for Alexee and Jaiden to see before taking it back to its mother.  

(She called it Rosie)

Crosby and I rode with Mom to feed the cattle Friday afternoon.  C pushed the buttons to roll out the hay. 

Fun night with cousins

We left Saturday afternoon so we could be home and unpacked by the time Lane got home from work.  The new travel pillows were nice.  Alexee even fell asleep, which rarely happens in the car.  Even the boys were very quiet on the trip back to our house.  We had a wonderful time, but I think we were all tired.  We truly had a Merry Merry Christmas...hard to believe it's already over!

Christmas Morning

We had a great first Christmas here:

The kids' stockings and gifts from Santa

Bogart's stocking and treats for Joey (guinea pig)

The fun began at 7:00.  The kids had been waiting patiently downstairs while we turned the lights on and got the cameras ready, but they hurried right up the stairs when we told them it was time!  They were so excited!

Rhett 10.5, Alexee 7.5 and Crosby 5.5

Rhett is always sweet to help Bogart look in his stocking & get a treat.  :)

After the Santa gifts, they moved over to the tree to open things from us.

And Lane and I had a surprise from Alexee.  She made a super cute photo calendar at school--we loved it!

I think they were all happy with their new things!!  It was a fun morning.  Santa also left celery for Joey, so Alexee went to get him and feed him his treat.

A & C were excited to get new Beanie Boos.

C has had a lot of fun with his Tackle Buddy.

We always cook a big Christmas morning breakfast.  We had pancakes, bacon, cinnamon apples, scrambled eggs and strawberries.

After breakfast the boys went outside to play baseball.  It was chilly, but a nice sunny day.

Lane had to be at work at 2:00, and the kids and I went to Flippin for Christmas with my family.  We snapped a quick family picture before we all left.

We had a very Merry Christmas--Hope your family did, too!

Dec. 23-24

Lane had five days off leading up to Christmas, which was nice.  We went out to dinner a few times, I did a little bit of last-minute shopping and went to the grocery store on Christmas Eve, we baked cookies and I wrapped gifts, but overall it was relaxing family time.  

On the 23rd we went to Bass Pro Shop just to look around then we went to a Japanese restaurant for diner.  The kids all love this food!  It was a fun night.

On Christmas Eve we baked three different kinds of cookies.  They fixed a plate for Santa (and wrote him a note), a plate for us to keep, and then we boxed some up for Lane to take to work on Christmas afternoon.

Lane and I watched It's a Wonderful Life that night--one of my favorite movies.  And I actually stayed awake this year!

We had a nice dinner:  Honeybaked turkey, mashed potatoes, green beans, strawberry salad, rolls and of course cookies for dessert. :)  Alexee helped me set the table and made place cards for us.  After dinner, Rhett read us the story of Jesus' birth.  They all seemed so grown up this year.

"While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son.  She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn."  Luke 2:6-7

A & C wanted to open one of their gifts on Christmas Eve night, but Rhett wanted to save his for Christmas morning so he just watched.

They went to bed early (all slept in R's room), hoping that it would make the night seem to go by faster.  

Very sweet times!  So thankful for my family.