We got to Ga-Ga's house around 11:30am and it wasn't long before the Kuch's joined us.
Ella had texted Christina the day before to find out what the girls were wearing. She wanted to wear a dress, but she didn't want to be the only one. She was so happy to hear that Anna was going to wear one and even though Addison didn't wear a dress she looked super snazzy in those sequined pants!
I just noticed that we matched! I had to wear my heated vest to show it off!
The table all festively decorated!
We had so many treats there was no way we could eat them all.
The tree that's so tall you have to take a panoramic picture to get all in one shot!
Miss Ruth & Ga-Ga
Cousin Bill and Papa
Pa and Bill
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Boys played a fun game called Ransom Notes. Everyone got a certain number of magnetic words and then there was a category that you had to try to come up with the best answer for using your random words. Everyone has a little magnet board so the boards end up looking like ransom notes that they show in the movies that are cut out of words from magazines. The phrases ended up being really funny!
Such lovely ladies!
Everyone piles in the living room to open presents.
We go youngest to oldest and only have the kids open presents and then we have them go off and then us adults open presents.
Miss Ruth found the coolest things that fit the kids' personalities. Ella loves the sea and shells so she got this glass ball that has sand and shells inside it. It's amazing!
It's hard to tell in this picture, but it's a metal art guy that's playing the guitar and the bucket next to him can hold pens or I guess your toothbrush. Jack loves the guitar and drawing so this was a double win!
She also got Owen and I these cute little naked statue people that have words all over their bodies. They are so funny! I love it because Owen and I are such readers it was perfect!
Ga-Ga & Pa got each of the kids ornaments that represented their personality. Addison's was this fun cowgirl hat...so appropriate! They of course got the kids their snack bags and other stuff too.
Jackson is trying to get all of the really nice Toy Story characters...yes he still plays with them with Zeke and they have a blast together. I love it! Ga-Ga got him Rex and his tail even comes off just like in the movie.
After a while it was time for the adults to open gifts. I got Papa & Ruth and Ga-Ga & Pa their calendar like I always do.
Ga-Ga & Pa got each of the guys these metal nutcrackers with chocolates in them and us ladies these awesome Washington State shaped cutting boards. Bill & Christina got our family a bunch of yummy snacks and we got them a couple family games.
Bill got a nice gift basket with yummy goodies in it!
Time for dinner!
Girls were at the table in the family room.
Boys were at the pub table in the breakfast nook!
Yum Yum!
Although I wasn't really happy with my green bean casserole. It wanted to make it with fresh green beans instead of canned but I didn't check to see if the beans were done enough so they were a little on the crisp side. They still tasted okay, but not my best work. That's what I get for being exhausted after being in the kitchen making 4 different types of cookies.
Love this time with family, but missing my man!
When Pa had to take Cousin Bill home he had the kids set out on a task. They had to go around the house and find all the nativity scenes. Whoever found the most would will a prize. Well he did have a participation prize for all the kids...it was hilarious every time he would call out someone's name he would say, "Owen gts a Par-ticipation award!" Ultimately Jack ended up winning by finding all 13 nativity scenes in the fastest amount of time. That just meant he got even more candy as candy was the prize for everyone.
After that Jack lead us in a few Christmas Carols. He did this all on his own...he printed out the chord sheets for himself that morning and he even played his new guitar.
Getting nice and cozy on Christmas!
Pa rewrote the Christmas Carol Winter Wonderland with his own words and so we had to sing that song.
After that it was time for some piano music too.
The girls sang for us.
We even figured out the piano had this feature where it would play a beat for us and the girls were dancing. Such fun!
Owen doesn't know any Christmas songs, but he still played for us. I love it when music fills the house. I just noticed Christina in the lower left corner. She's in the middle of a yawn, but it looks like she might be in pain from the music. Hahahaha!
It was a beautiful day celebrating with family!
