Everyone gathers at my parents' house in White Oak (East Texas) each year. We ask all the grown-ups to bring one gag gift and one nice gift, and then we do a gift exchange where we take turns picking a gift from the pile or stealing a gift from someone else. It never fails to create many laughs throughout the night!
Here's the group gathered on "Christmas" (New Years) Eve.
That night after everyone left, Santa made a special trip to MeMe and Granddaddy's house to fill the stockings for our family. This was the scene after (almost) all of the stockings were filled.
The next morning, everyone was excited to open their stockings.
Our immediate family (my parents, my siblings, and all their kiddos) was all there to celebrate Christmas together, so we made sure to get updated photos of the little kids with MeMe and Granddaddy. They were all eager to cooperate because they were ready to open their gifts!
We let the little kids open their gifts followed by the grownups. As big as our family is, it takes us all morning to open all the packages!
Collin and Kevin did everything but smell the package to try to figure out what it was.
My sister Michelle and her girls.
The newest addition to the Morgan family, sweet Marissa.
Kaitlynn kept sitting by Ryah with the hope of getting some of her Christmas candy.
The hit of Connor's Christmas last year was when he received his gift from MeMe and Granddaddy, which was a Houston Texans uniform and helmet. Over the last few months, his football pants had become so small that they barely fit. After scouring the Internet and our local sports stores, I managed to find a place that agreed to custom-make Connor some REAL football pants that match the Houston Texans. MeMe and Granddaddy gave them to Connor for Christmas, and oh boy, what a hit!
More group fun...Collin and Kevin enjoy a snuggle with their sister.
After all the gifts were opened, we enjoyed a nice Christmas/New Years lunch and the kids played.
Kevin and Connor raked a huge pile of leaves in the yard and had tons of fun with that.
The kids had a lot of fun with Uncle Ben and Uncle Jeff.
All of the little cousins play SO well together. It just warms my heart to think that they are making such special memories together that will last them a lifetime. Sometimes it gets overwhelming to try to plan gatherings for our big family with all of these little kids, but when the cousins (and the grownups!) get together and have such a great time, it makes me remember that it's all worth it!
Merry New Year, everyone!
Oh, what a fun time this looks to have been!! Happy New Year, Lauri!
ReplyDeleteLooks like you guys had a fun Christmas/New Year celebration. It is hard to get everyone together but it does make for fun memories. Hope this year is full of fun and laughter for you and your family!
ReplyDeleteI love all the pictures! What a fun time for all. I didn't get to comment on the previous post but the dog kennel cracks me up. That will be one Santa gift she won't ever forget. And I saw your living room cabinets in the background and they look GREAT. I can't wait to get the official pictures and to see how you decorated them.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you guys had a great Christmas and New Years! Love you!
My gosh! What a large family! Who would ever think that having 4 kids would equal once they are grown, married, and have children of their own? Wow! Your parents must be so proud! It's amazing to see all of you together! I'm sure it's fun times for all, and what a blessing for all of you!
ReplyDeleteIt was fun....I'm still seeing the results of the weekend everywhere I look! Ha! The cleaning ladies will certainly "earn" their money next week! Love, MOM
ReplyDelete