Christmas Pre-party
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| Noah's choir group practiced once a week for almost three months in preparation for our church's Christmas program. |
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| Natalie and her friend, George enjoy the music together. |
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| The kiddie crowd showed their appreciation for the singing by raising their glowsticks high. |
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| After the service....all hyped up and nowhere to go! |
Christmas morning
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| No words needed. |
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| I'm not sure what she was expecting, but she has yet to bounce on it. "You mean you expect me to jump on that without my feet touching the ground?!" she asked |
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| This year the kids bought gifts with their own money. I took them to Five Below to do their shopping. They were so proud of their purchases and wrapped them immediately. Steve Claus with his new ceramic coffee mug. |
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| Noah bought Steve a $5 gift card to Starbucks. "Don't tell my Dad I was here," he told the barista waiting on him. |
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| Every year Steve takes the kids shopping for me, I usually get a new pair of p.j's and slippers. This year Natalie picked out my slippers |
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| Noah selected chihauhua sleep pants for me. |
After we opened presents, we headed to my parent's house for brunch, a gift
exchange and our annual game of BINGO.
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Mom tried to get Noah and Natalie to try her
"surprise rolls"...inside a meatball and cheese stick.
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| Christmas brunch included cinnamon rolls, meatballs, bacon and cheese omelettes, rolls, ham, scalloped potatoes, fresh fruit, cookies and Steve's famous homemade blackberry cobbler...made using the berries he bled and sweat over picking back in July. He makes it every year. |
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| The gang was a little smaller this year. My sister and her family remained in CO. to celebrate with her in-laws. |
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| Ready, Set, Rip! |
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| Jack squealed with delight. |
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| A jewelry box for the girl who likes sparkly things. |
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| Natalie bought Gma "something shiny" for her to hang in her garden. |
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| Noah was a bit shy when he presented Gma with his gift of coffee flavorings. |
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| "What are you going to get Gpa for Christmas?" I asked. "A piece of steak...cause Gpa is a food person," explained Natalie. Ultimately she changed her mind and opted for a travel coffee mug instead. |
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| Every year Steve and I try to out do ourselves for my brother's 12/29 birthday. One year we gave him a White Castles-smelling candle, another year a Redneck wine glass. This time we found a place that sells bacon in a can called "Tactical Bacon" |
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| In preparation for BINGO, we decided we needed some snacks. Mom whipped up a batch of spicy Velveeta cheese dip. "Should I add a little wing sauce? asked Gma. "Gma, wing sauce is like duct tape, it fixes everything," assured Ethan. |
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| Bacon! |
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| Our lovely Vanna/Gma shows off the BINGO prize loot. |
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| More loot. |
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| This year my brother dug up items from his garage for prizes -- like this ceramic piece he made in high school. |
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| Natalie and Jack get their game on. |
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| "Jack! You got BINGO! What do you say?!" we asked. "Thank you" he answered quietly. |
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| We didn't see him again after his win. |
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| BINGO Beauties |
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| Perfect for family movie night! |
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| Alicia doing a happy dance to the prize table. |
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| Toe socks! |
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| Natalie doing her happy dance with Gma. |
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| Sand art....argh |
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| "Yes!" Ethan knew exactly what he wanted. |
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| Mr. Moose Candy Dispenser - "A flick of the tail brings a treat" |
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| We've decided to make Mr. Moose a new family tradition. Steve is having a brass plate engraved with Ethan'sname and the year. We'll bring him out for BINGO every Christmas and one lucky person will earn the right to enjoy his treats and then have their name engraved on him. |
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| Brian rides the pony to the winner's circle |
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| Nice choice |
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| BINGO! |
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| Alicia and Ella show off their prizes |
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| Nice grill, Nat |
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| My Christmas tree is now complete...with Snooki and DJ Pauly D ornaments. |
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| Noah shows off his moves before collecting his prize. |
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| "I'm done playing now," he said. |
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| Gpa shows off his loot -- a bubble gun and a reindeer candy dispenser. |
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| Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night! |
