Christmas with the Fam

Taking Ryan home for our family Christmas was extremely entertaining. All the way over, I prepped him for all the things likely to happen...like the famous picture Mom and Dad always take as we walk in the door, which usually results in the two of them trying (in vain) to figure out how to work the camera while we stand holding packages and smiling. Or like Dad wearing his "Wise Men Still Seek Him" sweatshirt. Or like Dad playing my embarrassing rendition of a Luke 2 recitation from when I was 4. Stuff like that.

We arrived and walked in to hear Mom say "I can't find my glasses! You'll have to take the picture." To which Dad replied, "I don't know how to work that thing."

Ahhhh. Let Christmas begin.

This year it was my sister, Julie and her husband, Tom, Mom and Dad...and Ryan and me. Can't tell you how much I loved having someone beside me at that table this year. (Even if he did bring out the phone and show the UBER embarrassing station music video I hadn't told my family I was in. They loved it. I sat quietly. That's a first.)

 Dad opening his first gift. Historically this means the rest of the day, he'll play with this present. The first one is always his favorite. This year it was some sort of thermometer.

 My beautiful sister, Julie, modeling a scarf Lori gave her.

 I never got a clear shot of my shirt! It said "Naughty, Nice, I Really Tried." The I Really Tried is checked. Unfortunately once I donned the bare hiney shorts as a joke - my Dad piped up with "You did NOT really try." I wanted to be sorry but I really wasn't. It was that funny. (And I would love to post a picture for you but I don't think my work would appreciate it!!)

 Ryan's new Colts shirt! He loved it! (And he will look SO good in it. Shows off his arms. Sigh of joy.)

 I love this picture of Mom. She's usually so busy hollering instructions to me about "no legs, one chin..." that she forgets to smile.

 My new vest coat from Mom. And gloves! I loved them so much.

 Dad still working on that thermometer. He brought Tom in to help....

 Taking a short break to open another gift - an ice scraper of some sort. He asked Ryan to hold it while he read the directions. Out loud. God bless that Ryan...such a good sport.

 Dad is nothing if not a vision in plaid.

 I think he got something like 4 new plaid shirts (displayed on the chair behind him) and I bought him a dress hat so that...you know...if he should have another wedding on the books anytime soon...he won't have to wear his How Old I Art baseball cap. He seemed to like the hat. Unfortunately he didn't seem to see the point in removing the tags. Baby steps.

Mom and Dad with Ryan and me!

All in all, a GREAT Christmas! We texted pictures out to Lori and Jeff in Kansas so they could see what was happening...Dad only fell asleep twice...and we had LOTS of good laughs along the way. A great day!