BINGO!

Christmas is my absolute favorite time of year. There is something about the whole season that makes me all giddy inside. I love the Christmas music, Christmas lights, shopping, baking, all the yummy treats (especially Christmas cookies!) of course the shopping, and spending time with family. I think the biggest reason I love Christmas so much is because of all the wonderful traditions that we have as a family. When Russell and I got married that added even more traditions to the group and now Russell and I get to start some of our own.
My side of the family has a tradition that goes back way before I was even born. It definitely tops the list of my favorites and I look forward to it every year. We used to get together every other year with my dad’s side of the family on Christmas Eve, but now that the family is so big we get together before Christmas instead. We get together and start out with of course- dinner. Gotta eat! My favorite- Aunt Maureen's potato salad and Aunt Ann's macaroni salad. Doesn't get any better than that!

After we eat we clear the tables for some serious game playing- cuz it's BINGO time. Yes, I said Bingo! It is SO much fun. Everyone gets a prize or two that is specifically for them when they win and then there are a bunch of miscellaneous gifts if you keep on winning. We have gone from using old small Bingo cards and beans to cover the numbers, to nifty cards that have little sliders on them. We play a bunch of rounds so everyone can win their prize and then do a blackout at the end. This year was a blast and both Russell and I were on a winning streak! We got some fabulous prizes such as earrings (for me), a drill-thingy (for Russell of course), some windshield wiper fluid and beef jerky. The prizes are nothing fancy but its still fun to win. My Grandma used to buy us things such as tissues and Aqua Net hairspray- oh how the times have changed!

*Two cards each- we are talented! *

*Josh was having a hard time getting Bingo*

*Carter opening his first Bingo gift*

After playing Bingo, Santa comes and visits all the little kids. Everyone gets to sit on Santa's lap for a picture and to tell him what they want for Christmas. A few kids get to sit on Santa's lap and have a few things- good and bad- told about them. This year- it was Jacob's turn. (Carlye's husband) We decided that since he was new to the family- we would welcome him in style! He was so embarrassed and it was so funny. I wish I had a pic of how red his face was. Some of the kids loved Santa- others- not so much.

*As you can see- Carter was not a fan*

*Yeah- Livvy wasn't either*

Grandma was unable to come to the party this year due to her health and the snowy weather earlier in the day. We really missed having her there! This is a tradition that she started years and years ago and still makes sure we carry it on.

*The "girls" (minus Ali)*

*Good lookin guys! (minus Darin)*