We celebrated Christmas Eve at Grandma and Grandpa Van Aken's...our traditional "Chinese Christmas." Don't ask why they call it that, I have no idea and I don't really want to know. It's one of those things that's been passed down from Brad's childhood. To be more politically correct, I try to call it the "Gift Exchange Game," but it might take a few more generations before a new name catches on! Anyway, it's lots of fun, especially when we have Ashley, Brandon & Jane, Alicia, Brad's cousins the Willliams family, and our friends the Wises with us.
Brad opened one of the early gifts...this stunning neon violin clock! Needless to say, it was not one of the highly traded gifts. He did manage to bribe his cousin's son to take it at the end of the night by giving him $10.
Since Pat and Sarah weren't here this year, there wasn't a stand-out "must have" gift. The most popular ones that got traded every round were $15 cash, a $15 i-Tunes card, two movie tickets, a set of pocket knives, and a Nerf shotgun. Izaac Wise had his heart set on the Nerf gun and held on to it for a good part of the game. He lost it near the end, but thanks to some sweet dealing by Alicia, was able to get it back in the final round. We all know Alicia really wanted that Zhu-zhu pet!
The kids woke up around 6:00 Christmas morning with strict orders that they could open their stockings, but had to wait until 7:00 to wake us up. Why did we pick 7:00? Next year it will be 8:00, at least! With our attempts to have a simpler Christmas this year, the gifts were all open by 7:30. I was able to capture some smiles while they were opening their presents. Even though they're not little anymore, and didn't have piles of toys to open, they still enjoyed their gifts and were grateful for what they received.
No, we did not give Nate oven bags! All he wanted for Christmas this year was a guitar strap, headphones, and cash. I wrapped the cash in different sized boxes so he would have something to open.
What was Santa thinking, bringing Ben a pocket knife? We've had to remind him several times that a pocket knife isn't an inside tool!
Christmas afternoon, we headed over to my parents' for dinner and more presents.
Grandma got the kids these awesome sleds, just in time for our sledding trip Monday!
Tif posing in the headband/neck warmer I made for her.
Jonah and Brad really hit it off this year. Jonah was fascinated with cracking nuts!
Christmas dinner! Grandpa got to sit at the "boy's table" with the younger grandsons.
Merry Christmas, everyone!
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