Christmas Festivities

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning."

James 1:17

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In keeping with the yearly tradition, Christmas Eve was spent at Pa Paw and Ma Maw's house with family. This is such a sweet time of just being together.

Life is short...eat dessert first, right???? : )

The food was delicious!

In years past (when all of us cousins were small), this was the "kids' table".  It still is referred to as such, but with so many adults around, the little ones don't get away with as much as we did when we were younger. : )

And the "adult table"

Oh! how fond are the memories of when all the moms and dads sat at this table in deep discussion and had their backs turned to us while we sat at the table in the next room eating our Christmas dinner like little cherubs....NOT!  More like played with candles trying to see who could get the closest to the flame and not get burnt, put the flame out with our fingers, and other such things.  Hmmmmm....maybe this information shouldn't be disclosed???? : )

Of course, discussion this year revealed a little more about everyone. ; )

This is so pretty!

After the meal, everything was rearranged so everyone could fit in the family room.

Cayden ~ busy with the little people

Such a precious moment!

That present is almost as big as you are, Madelyn!

Madelyn and Aunt Valerie

Crystal and Patrick

 

Us Girls...

Marie and Jon

Yep....we're Irish. : )

It was a fun afternoon filled with laughter and love.  After the excitement died down and the crowd dwindled, we headed home to get ready for the evening's festivities.  We always open presents as a family on Christmas Eve night.

Here are some humorous glimpses...
 

A finish-your-own gift???

The funny part came when we found that the recipient of the previous gift had a similar idea! : )

One of those "sister moments"...

"I wonder if you slid this letter opener through your hair if it'd cut it...."

"Uhhhhh....keep that thing away from me!"

 

And the best one....

Ray was sent into another room to retrieve a gift, but we got a little suspicious when he shut the door behind him and stayed there a bit longer than necessary....the rustling was a little odd....

"Mom, I think he's putting it on."

"No, he's not."

"But I think he is....it sounds like he is."

"No, he's not....is he???"

After such discussion during his absence, he finally emerged.....

IN A DRESS!!!!

(This is NOT a regular occurrence in our household!)

Uh, Ray, the flowers are a little too....pink.

Christmas Day was more relaxed and leisurely....a nice reprieve from our hectic schedule.  It was a sweet time just to focus on the real meaning of the holiday....JESUS!

Early afternoon found most of us outside with our 3-man-sligshot and a load of artillery.  The pecans were ready to fall...with a little help. : )

~ Sisters...Friends ~

I've always wanted to fly!

Ready....Aim....

...Fire!!!

And then everyone runs out in the road to gather the pecans before any cars come.  Our street isn't very busy, but as sure as the sun rises, if something that you don't want squashed is in the road, a car is gonna come.

Back to your positions!

Our ball retriever...

We were able to gather a large bag of pecans, but the cold and snow deterred us from getting any more.  We finished up the evening with our turkey dinner and a Wii game or two....or three....or....well, you get the idea. : )  All the while we watched the snow fall and thanked the Lord for such a beautiful day.