A Little Holiday Re-cap

I thought you might like to see some photos of our Christmas holiday celebrations. You would, wouldn't you? Yes? Good.

We went to the candlelight service at church early Christmas Eve, then to dinner after at Greg's sister-in-law's mother's house, just down the street. She made a delicious meal of Swedish meatballs in sour cream dill gravy, brisket, potato bologne, cheesy potatoes, corn, and rolls. It was a nice way to spend the evening with family. A little brotherly... love?

the four cousins

Christmas Day was lunch at Greg's parents' house. We feasted on brisket and pork loin and assorted sides. After cleaning up the dishes and putting away the tables and chairs, we gathering for gifting.

At this family gathering, we open each gift one at a time so everyone can see what we got. We usually go youngest to oldest or vice versa. This year it was the, eldest who began, so Nanny and Poppo got their one gift. We all went together and gave them a Wii! Immediately Nanny turned to Nick and said, "I challenge you!". LOL.
Here is Nanny with her favorite grandson - well, her ONLY grandson. :o)
I worked Friday morning, them came home to cook and finish some gifts for our Regier gathering. We all got together at Randy's and Leslie's new house. The kids were such fun - so excited when each new person came in the door, and asking a thousand times if we could open presents yet?

Jessi and Grace. Grace is wearing the dress my sister made for Jess when she was a little girl.

Taylor took her time opening presents, tearing little pieces of the wrapping paper ever so slowly...

Not the rest of the kids - they were happy to rip into their packages. Each present excited them. Here's Grace with her tea set:

Garett opening his Cars trailer:Wyatt with his Spiderman car. I worried him by claiming it was all wrong and was supposed to be Barbie Princess stuff. Apparently I didn't know what I was talking about, because, "Aunt Tammy, that is for Grace! I get Spiderman!"

Our final family gathering was the Regier cousins in Grand Island. Bobbi and Kurt had arranged for a party room at Valentino's where we feasted yet again, then hit the game room for tokens and tickets.
Here is Case, the youngest of our family, obviously enjoying his lunch:

This guy is Dylan. He came from Australia to see us!I had given my camera to Wyatt and asked him to get a photo of each person. He started doing just that, then found out there was an ice cream machine at the buffet. Guess that was more important than photography, because he only took a few pictures. :o)

It is always such a blessing to be able to gather with our families, enjoy good food, fun times, and make happy memories. The decorations are put away for another year, but Christmas continues when we keep it in our hearts.