We left for Ohio on the Friday before Christmas arriving in decent time to get a good nights sleep. My sister and her husband were hoping to fly in that night but as it turned out they weren’t able to arrive until Saturday afternoon because of weather conditions in Cleveland.
Saturday morning Jesse and Javan enjoyed a game of Risk (their new favorite) with Grandma. I don’t remember who won.
Saturday evening all the Ohio family joined us for pizza and fellowship.
Jordyn and Johanna became two peas in a pod! Johanna still talks about Jordyn and remembers that she is 4!
We gathered in the living room for some music and games. Our children played a song or two on their instruments and Uncle Darrel played us a song on the harmonica. My Grandpa Brinker used to play the harmonica for us – brought back memories.
Jesse and Javan acted out the Twelve Days of Christmas.
We sang some Christmas Carols and then moved on to games and visiting.
We were disappointed that Edith Ann was a little shy and wouldn’t come out of her shell to tell us a story!!!
My youngest cousin Jenna is a favorite of the girls. She is a sweet Christian girl and I so love our visits!!!
Grandma and Jolene
Grandpa worked hard at getting the attic of his garage cleaned up and hung the plastic around so we would not lose the ping pong balls in all their stuff. We appreciate all you did Dad!!! We enjoyed playing ping pong together.
I love Javan’s faces he makes when he’s concentrating!
I’m not sure but this may have been the time that Javan said “who taught you Mom’s moves?” haha! Javan whips me if he plays fast because I hit the ball too far, but if we aren’t going too fast I keep changing which side of the table I return it too and he has to run to get it! Apparently Mom was doing the same thing!
Back in the house we played a game of Can’t Stop. A game we got so long ago I can’t remember how old I was!
We had our Christmas celebration on Christmas Eve day because Steve and Cori would have to leave early on Christmas.
Johanna playing with one of Grandma’s puppets.
Steve preparing some hors d'oeuvres.
Mom making the Christmas meal.
Hors d'oeuvres.
BUSTED! I guess Grandma’s apple salad was too good to wait!
My Mom and Dad – I love the new beard and mustache! It looks great!
My brother Mark
Dad, Cori and Steve, and Chad and I.
I can’t remember who won, but I think we are still a pretty even match.
Behind me you can see a bunch of old trunks Grandpa got out to go through with the children. Jared got to see it all but Jesse and Javan must have been doing something else at the time. Maybe this summer.
My big sister Cori!
Cori has the annual responsibility of handing out gifts.
Here she just opened a gift from Jared.
The girls again…
Jeremiah getting a kiss from Copper!
Christmas evening we went to Mark and Andrea’s house for a couple hours. The children love to visit them. They have all sorts of secret rooms and a train which keeps some of them occupied for quite awhile.
A Boy and his Toys
Jeremiah enjoyed the trains.
There were two boys that stuck around a lot longer than everyone else! Can you guess who?
Jared said he would have stayed at the train the whole night but we don’t get to see the cousins very often so he went to play with them.
Jonas is all about vehicles and trains are no exception!
Jubilee and Nathan playing with his new Beyblades.
Wednesday evening Mark’s family came over for supper and more time together.
AND here they are again!
It was a wonderful time and we aren’t going to let it go a whole year this time (if we can help it)!
