Christmas Week

On Christmas day, we went to Richard & Mary Helen's house. Mom always makes her famous turkey & dressing, which we stuff ourselves on. After lunch, Pop reads the Christmas Visitor story and we sing Christmas carols until the kids get anxious to open presents. This year, Lucy & Mary passed out the gifts. We opened lots of wonderful gifts and enjoyed visiting with one another. (No pics......it was hard to be so joyful while we all miss Rich.)

The day after Christmas........the girls & family are home.....

Travis, Sara & Elizabeth went to the Austin airport and picked up Kate & her friend, Nick Rossi (yes, her boyfriend and literally, the boy next door). Since Santa had come the night before, Elizabeth spotted her gift first. Grandpa John was watching Elizabeth play with her new toy. At our Christmas, we open presents by age...and Elizabeth got to go first. Well, her 1st present lasted quite awhile since she liked playing with the wrapping paper.....so we made a few changes in the rules....and the rest of us opened our gifts while Elizabeth was busy with hers. It was so much fun to watch Elizabeth.

At night, Kate's friends, Audra & Nikki, came over so they could visit with Kate and exchange gifts. Each year we put together a Christmas puzzle. The girls got in the act and by 12:30 that night it was complete.