Christmas Times

So I am not going to attempt to keep this blog chronological at this point.  I’m just posting old photos in whatever order I want…so here is Christmas 2009.  We went to Illinois this year.  In the name of marital fairness, Mike and I alternate Thanksgiving and Christmas every year.  I made out this year with Christmas, so we packed up the Exploradora with the pups, the crate, our luggage, and gifts for the four hour trip.  My mom’s house is home base.  This was the first year in my thirty years of life that my mom’s parents did not host Christmas Eve.  Instead, we went to church and then back to my mom’s for appetizers.  We bailed early and went out to my dad’s parents’ home for our second Christmas Eve party.  Christmas day was back at my mom’s for my step-dad’s family and then after they all left, we had Christmas with my brother and sister.  Finally, on Sunday, we had Christmas with my dad.  It’s a whirlwind of hugs, kisses, wrapping paper, running kids, and cookie devouring.  The joys of a very blended family:) 


We left our little decorated home for Illinois.  Here’s a picture of Where’s Waldo Neko

No gifts under our little tree:(

Mom and David bought Neko and Dora matching reindeer flashing headbands.  Clearly they were thrilled.

This picture cracks me up.  Lily has drawn all over herself in a happy frenzy and Alyssa is miserable because Lily is drawing on her table!

A big part of the clan out for Mexican. My Uncle Mike was in a serious car accident in October.  This is his first time eating out since the accident.  It was certainly a time for celebration:) I’ll also point out that all the Mikes are present.  From left to right back row: Alyssa, me, Mike W., Kristy, shorty-butt Angela, David, mom, Tristen, Ronnie, Lily, Mike C., Mike S. Front row: Paige, Mike W., Cindy, and Tori.