6 Christmases

No, we're not kidding.  We managed to cram six Christmas celebrations into a 3 day period this year! Lucky for us it wasn't TOO much like the "Four Christmases" movie (ha ha!).  We are lucky because our families have different Christmas traditions and we're able to attend all of them without having to choose between them. 

My family has always celebrated Christmas on Christmas Eve and Kurt's family goes the traditional route with Christmas morning.  As of now, Kurt & I are pretty flexible about starting our own traditions so we kicked off the Christmas festivities with our own gift exchange extravaganza on Wednesday night.  It was really fun!  Although Kurt was a big slacker at wrapping gifts he did a really nice job picking out things that I would like!! I'm impressed (brownie points!).   =D

See that stack of boxes swaddled in a blue blanket?
Yeah, that's Kurt's idea of "wrapping presents". ha!

His favorite gift -- HDflip video camera!

 In an effort to beat the snow storm we both took off work on Thursday to head back to WL (very good choice because once Friday rolled around we got dumped on all day).  We enjoyed Christmas with Kurt's mom on Christmas Eve morning, followed by the Stucker family get-together.  Then it was time for the BEST meal of the year...shish-ka-bobs at my Mom & Dad's house!  YUM!  This is our tradition.... making shish-ka-bobs, playing games, going to church & opening gifts on Xmas Eve. :)  It was a fun night (although Kurt barely stayed awake during church)!!

The first couple Christmases knocked the Collins kids out!

Yum, shish-ka-bobs!

at the Kelly Christmas!

We spent Christmas day with the Simons - first with Kurt's immediate family at his Dad's and then with the whole clan at his Grandparents house.  It's always fun to be surrounded by family, plus with all the little kids right now there is tons of entertainment to keep us laughing. :)

Kurt & his youngest nephew, Truvell. SUCH a cutie!!

Desi & Drake playing with Pita.

Nice shirt!!

Marley & Me - of course, when she smiled so perfectly I didn't look at the camera!

With my future sister-in-laws! :) YAY!

Last but not least we ventured to Holiday Lake to enjoy some Christmas fun with the Westra family (my mom's side).  We (continued to) munch on goodies all day, do a little gambling and swap some presents.  Yes... I said gambling.  My Grandma & Grandpa always have little packages of quarters ready for each of us so we can play a few rounds of LCR.  I've never won.... but it sure is fun!  I think this is the first year that Matt hasn't taken home the winnings!!  ha!

All the cousins at Grandma & Grandpa Westra's!

Overall we had a wonderful holiday.  We're so thankful we were able to spend so much time with our loved ones. Plus, it's not so bad going back to work when you have new outfits to wear (LOL)!