Christmas with the Family

Well I hate to say it, but Christmas is over. I really do enjoy all of the holiday festivities and fun that goes along with this time of year. It seems that as Christmas nears, I spend the majority of my time with the family. (Families)

The Saturday before Christmas is the Williams Family (my mother's family) Christmas Party. Traditionally this has been a Brunch. However, the last few years we have alternated between a lunch and a brunch. This year, we saw the return of fooding early. In addition to the great food, we had the opportunity to sit around and visit with the family. It seems like we had more in attendance this year than I can ever remember. Attached below is a picture of all the 1st Cousins in the family.

I just looked at the picture and realized that we didn't get everyone in the picture. After a quick first count, it looks like we are missing 6 cousins. If you look at that family and think to yourself, "HHMMM, they look like a fun bunch." You are right. My cousins have always been fun, we joke around, and we just have a great time together. The best part is, we are always there for one another. We always do our best to support each other, through thick and thin.

I am also including a picture of my mom and her brothers and sisters. In case any of you might know them, they are from left to right: Dorothy Sperry, Florence Peterson, Lorene Johnson, Doug Williams (Santa) Shirley Bradfield, Grant Williams, and Beverly Painter.

I have one more picture to share. This is a picture of me with my cousins Sheradee and Tina. These are the cousins closest to my age, while growing up and at family parties, these two and my cousin Devin, where the ones I spent the most time with.

They look pretty cool don't they? That's because they are! I think it is a pretty good picture as well. I guess I can say that, even though I took the picture. (Hence us all looking kind of crunched in together.)

In addition to the Williams family party, the Sunday before Christmas we hold the Painter family party. This year, my parents were in charge of the party, so there was a little extra stress in getting everything together. This party is also pretty casual and laid back. We get together, have food and then Santa Claus shows up to help us with our gift exchange.

I have included a couple of picture from this party as well. The first one is me, sitting on the arm rest next to Santa. Yes, I am a little old to be telling Santa what I want for Christmas. But since I was given the opportunity, I took the chance to tell him I wanted Cash for Christmas. he laughed and told me that he heard I was on the naughty list of several girls. Of course my face went 12 shades of red as everyone burst into laughter. OH, if only it were true.

Even mom and dad were subjected to the fun of sitting on Santa's laugh. It is only fair, I mean it was dad's idea that every "Talked" with Santa.

I am also including a picture of my entire family. So you can see how we looked after the party.



The next picture Ragan, is the daughter of my cousin Jamie. I was going to get a picture of the table where they were all sitting. Ryan (her dad) told her to "Say Cheese". Instead she asked me if I wanted her brownie. The whole thing made me laugh, so I had to share the picture.

Christmas Eve was spent at my parents house playing games, eating, and playing a few more games. Additionally, we have taken up the tradition of drinking a glass of egg-nog. Our egg-nog is not the traditional, alcohol laced nog that makes you enjoy the family time. Instead we buy the nog from the grocery store and then add a 7Up or Sprite to give it some fizz. This is the fun part of the drink; we can't just pour it into the nog, the soda has to be shaken a bit and then fizzed into the drink by holding your thumb, slightly over the top and pouring. (Spraying) Well, we decided to let Mike and his stubby thumb add the fizz this year. You would think with only a partial thumb like he has that the shake and fizz would come naturally. SIMPLY NOT TRUE. I have added a picture of Mike trying to fix the nog. Unfortunately, since the Sprite is clear, you couldn't see the mess he made. There was sprite all over Mike, the ceiling, the blinds, the kitchen sink and pretty much everything else. I am a little shocked that it was not on my camera. If only I would have had my video camera instead.

The night was fun. I somehow think that laughing at Mike made the whole evening a success.

Mike and Ali then gave mom one of her first Christmas presents. (I loved this gift) He had taken pictures of Christmases from the past 40+ years and made a slideshow in DVD. This was a great idea as we all sat together and watched the video laughing about the pictures and the changes through the years.

Christmas morning started at 6:30 for us, which was good since I was up until almost 3:00 wrapping presents. I know, I had my shopping done early and was going to get all of my presents wrapped. Didn't happen. I still can't figure out what happened to the time. Had I even just taken a minute each day to wrap one present, I would not have had the marathon of wrap. Once again, I have the perfect 20/20 hindsight.

I think everyone got what they wanted for Christmas this year. One of my favorite presents given this year was given by Paul and Tracy to my mother. Mom has had a large picture of her dad floating around the house for years, just the picture. Well, Tracy snuck into the house took the picture, made a copy of it and put the copy in place of the original and then had the original matted and framed. Really, it almost brought a tear to my eye watching her open it up. Mom even cried a little. (Now you all know where I get it from.)

When we drew names for Christmas this year, it was Paul that drew my name. He gave me exactly what I wanted-Fly Fishing things. I am including a picture of me opening this gift. The strange thing, I opened the present and there was this fly fishing reel. I looked at it and thought, this looks like the exact reel I have. I was wondering how to tell Paul that he got me something I had. I even thought to myself--wasn't Paul with me when I bought the reel. Anyway, I looked inside the reel box, it was my reel. He had gone into my house and lifted it out of my safe. Which means, I need to find a new place for my safe key. He had taken my reel into Sportsman's Warehouse and had the backing and line put on the reel. Which was perfect! He also gave me some additional line and a little case to carry my flies. Exactly what I needed!

The rest of the day was awesome. Just spending time with the family and eating great food. I have included some pictures of the family opening presents. Or just hanging out.

Chris and Clint

Mom and Dad

Clint and Mike

Tracy and Paul

Paul and Chase Fonzerelli

Mike and Ali Opening gifts

Chris, Chase, Amber, & Ali preparing to open gifts

This picture is great. Amber was being a total cheese that day, she was a mad poser for the pictures. But the best part about this picture is what is just to the left of her head. (Our left not her's) Chase had just thrown a crumpled piece of wrapping paper at her and I was able to snap the picture the instant before it nailed her in the head. TOO Funny. Seriously, it was awesome.

This last picture is Chase posing with his prized Christmas present. He got a new Ruger 10/22. He was very excited about the present and decided he needed to pose with his rifle for a picture.

I think that about wraps up my Christmas. I hope you all had a fantastic Christmas and were able to spend some quality time with your friends and family.