Friend Family Christmas

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This year we traveled home to Kansas for Christmas. For years we take turns, every other year spending either Christmas or Thanksgiving with one of our families. This year it was my turn for Christmas. We hadn't been home since July for my Dad's 70th surprise party. So the trip was long overdue and it was really nice to see my parents, brother's & their families. We did our traditional 'Friend Family Chistmas Eve' gathering at my oldest brother Donald's house. We had a really good time. The only bummer was my middle brother David and his family couldn't make it because he had to work late. So the family wasn't quite complete without them, but we still all enjoyed each other's company.



Mom & Dad got their BIG gifts from us, which was an extension of their rehab contracts. For the first time in my parents lives they have been working out weekly. Sometimes three times per week. These is a huge accomplishment for them and a big lifestyle change that we are all really pleased and proud of them for. We are excited for them to 'keep up the good work'.



Cooper grabbed Grandma's pine cone candle when she wasn't looking.



Cooper really had fun seeing his cousins Brady and Ryan. He especially was attached to Brady. Here Brady was helping him open one of his gifts.





Both of my brothers dogs were there, which Cooper just loved. He liked Rosie a little more since she was small and more his size. Most of the time he was afraid of Achilles (the english bull dog). But in the picture he was brave and giving Achilles a 'stare down'.



We were getting ready to do our 'Ornament Exchange'. We stopped exchanging gifts years ago because it got too hard to figure out what to give each other. So we came up with some other fun alternatives. So now we do an ornament exchange and white elephant exchange (dirty santa style). It always makes for a good time.





Grandpa and Ryan hanging out. Ryan has on the White Elephant gifts that we brought. It was a collection of 'stick on' mustaches.. and yes Joe picked this out.



Lorelee and Brady being silly.



Here are the ornaments that Joe, Cooper and I got.



And are little family picture. Too bad we aren't all smiling. Oh well at least Cooper isn't screaming.. HA!