Merry Christmas!

We had a fabulous Christmas! As usual it started on Christmas Eve and went on for several days with get-togethers with different parts of the family. We were exhausted (and fatter) by the time it was over but are so blessed to have such a big and loving family! This year was extra special because it was Valerie's first Christmas with us. So fun!!


Christmas Eve we went to Todd's parents and Polly Sue fed us a delicious steak dinner and we exchanged gifts and enjoyed the afternoon together. Christmas morning we had a ball watching the kids discover what Santa brought them. Valerie calls Santa Ho-Ho. Ho-Ho was very good to both her and Blaine! Then Larry and Polly Sue and all of my family came over to our house for breakfast. We all had a good visit, ate too much, and played with the kids' new toys. The whole crew went outside and watched Blaine shoot off his new Coke/Mentos geyser (Way Cool!). Then it was off to my parent's house to open presents and have our traditional Christmas fajitas. Mom and Dad make the best fajitas! We spent the rest of the day playing, resting and visiting with Ginger, Mike, and Bryan. The day after Christmas, Todd's cousins came into town so we went down to Nana and Bub's house and had another round of Christmas with Jami and Todd and their kids, Brooks and Paige, Jason and Jackie and their kids, Jaxon and Connor. Todd's Aunt Jan had cooked a brisket and so we had yet another wonderful feast. The next day Todd's cousin Cy, his wife Meredith and their pretty little Kylie came so we all got together again.

So much fun, too much food, not enough sleep! All of us were spoiled with so many great presents but the best gifts of course are the ones money can't buy. God has given us the gifts of love and family and best of all, our salvation, which is why we celebrate Christmas!


I have tons of great pictures that I am trying to post tonight but my pitiful dial-up connection is not cooperating. I'll try again tomorrow.