The day after Christmas is one of my favorite days of the year.
Not only do we get to have breakfast with some of our dearest friends
(both near & far),
but we also get to celebrate with my family!
This year was no different.
We enjoyed a yummy late lunch/early dinner
and the the present opening commenced!
Per tradition, stockings first!
How much do I love that Mom gave Blaine homemade pimiento cheese?
In his stocking? It's truly his favorite. With scoops of course!
And she included some of Uncle Bidd's BBQ Sauce in Jarrett's.
This is his favorite on top of some of Bowdie's dad's BBQ.
I think he could literally drink the stuff!
Then it was on to opening gifts.
I love how we all take turns.
There's no mad rush of everyone opening at the same time.
Oh no … we have to watch each member get their gift.
I love that!!
Mom got a new cell phone case ...
Jess got a toaster oven (a true college student's best friend)
Dad got new … toothbrushes??! Gotta keep those pearly whites pearly white!
Jordan & Lena Raechel both got vinyl monograms and a phone charger.
T got some new jewelry and a jewelry holder (that I made!).
Mom got a pair of boots … that she picked out but we still wrapped!
Don'tcha just love her expression??!!
And then there's this kid … Aunt T knew just what to do for him.
One large box with a bunch of smaller boxes wrapped inside …
until he got to the last one, which was the Earth documentary.
Right up his alley all the way!
But my favorite gifts by far were the ones given to the kids by Mom & Dad.
Mom started off by telling the kids that one thing that she knows to be true:
great people read great books.
So in an effort to make her grandkids great, she challenged them to read a great book.
And not just any great book, but the one that she had specifically picked for them.
They had to answer some questions, talk with her about it, and once complete,
there was a monetary reward.
Here they are with their books:
Jesse - The Insanity of God
Jordan - The Hiding Place
Micah - God's Smuggler
Lena Raechel - Kisses from Katie
Jarrett - Pilgrim's Progress (in modern language!)
Blaine - The White Knight (a Lamplighter Publishing book)
Jacob - Little Sir Galad (another Lamplighter book)
Look at Jacob - already reading. That kid totally inherited his aunt's gift for speed reading!
In fact, he finished his book before we left Mom and Dad's that night!
Seriously!
Last up for gifts was from Dad to the son-in-law's.
We had to move outside for this one.
GREEN EGGS!!
Rob has been wanting one of these for quite some time.
It's truly the most excited I've seen him!
He was like a kid in a candy shop!!
So generous!! What a perfect gift!
Some other fun candids, just hanging with the family ...
Jacob, still reading his book!
The fam
No … seriously ...
Seriously … the goofiest picture ever!
MERRY CHRISTMAS Y'ALL!
