Thanksmas

Thanksmas is something that started many years ago when all of my older siblings were getting married and thus we had to share them on certain holidays. So we would have Thanksgiving all together and then a day or two later have Christmas together. After a several year break...Thanksmas was back!! It was the only bonding thing to do since 4 out of us 5 kids were together. Oh how we missed Shane and Julie and their family!!!

We started the day off with an amazing spread of food. Each family brought a party finger food and a sweet! It was of a most scrumptious nature!! We took some breaks throughout the eating to get some pictures of the family bonding! Thanks to my sister-in-law Heidi for the great pictures. Also, let us all remember that there is a good reason for my chubbiness in these photographs!


Grandma with the oldest grandchild, Kennedy


My cute niece Cassidy and I! Her parents say that she looks and acts a lot like me..poor girl!


My nephew Brock digging in!


My brother and 2 sisters! Somehow we need to photo shop my brother Shane it for it to be complete!


My nephews...what studs!!

After we ate, we went downstairs and all of the grand kids had drawn names and exchanged gifts. Clara was pretty excited about her church activity felt book from her cousin Mitchell! We had 13 out of the 17 grand kids all together! Crazy fun!








Next, the adults did a white elephant exchange! We did nice gifts instead of gag gifts. It was fun, but there wasn't as much stealing and drama as I would have liked! Eric and I scored!!





Then came the candy bar game. We did this in Shane's honor since he was in Washington D.C. This is something Shane and his family would do at Christmas every year.


Kenzie and Cassidy showing off their goods!


Kennedy and Crew...who went around and sampled as much candy as he could!

Mama Jo was all prepared for Christmas. She had gifts for everyone. Most people got some kind of BYU gear. However, she found something red to make my hubby happy! He who likes to be unique! I scored a fancy paper cutter while Clara Jo ended up with an Elmo lunch box which included videos and a C.D. player! We were spoiled!!









The most amazing gift that was given was the first volume of my mom's life history. She had spent countless hours working on this special book for each of us. The first volume just covered her parents and siblings. I can't wait for what is to come. What a treasure!











As you can plainly see, Thanksmas was an ultimate success! It was so fun to be together and revive this splendid tradition. Simply tender!!!