Pictures and Poetry-- Merry Christmas!

Our Christmas Eve party started on the 22nd of December and went until after 10:00 pm on the 24th.  We did have daytime breaks, but basically it was one big party. 

Our actual Christmas Eve party followed the usual format.  A huge Christmas dinner with way too much food; a fabulously acted nativity; a short Christmas program; the cousin gift exchange where each grandchild has a cousin to trade gifts with; gifts from grandpa and grandma (this year it was a book and a t-shirt); then the adult white elephant exchange.  This year went on as usual until there were two gifts left.  It was a little confusing, because there was only one person left to take a package.  Dan picked the larger of the two gifts and on top found an envelope that said, “OPEN THIS BEFORE THE GIFT.” Dan obediently opened the envelope and read the instructions: “Wow! You’re so selfless, you picked the game!  Have everyone write a Christmas haiku (anonymously).  Pick your favorite (after reading them aloud) and they win the gift!  Set a time for 4 minutes.  Ready, set, Go!

I have to share the Haiku’s that the family came up with.  They were very creative.

 

The Grinch is Creepy

But Ila loves the movie

Can’t wait for Christmas

 

A Christmas Haiku for you:

Egg Nog Parent Fog

Sleep it off before Yule Log

Santa “Please No Dog”


 

Heavenly Baby

Hope Shining Brightly on High

Hope for forever

Christmas comes tonight

The trees and homes have lights

Just like Jesus Christ

Christmas time is Great

I’m constantly cleaning plates

It’s worth it for sure

      -Roy-

Christmas is here now

Our family is so crazy

But we love it here


Christmas is happy

I don’t know what to say

 ^really

This is the worst game


 


Christmas Dinner fun

Butter stains on my tum tum

Watch out for Santa’s gun


The Grinch is so mean

He is so ugly and green

At least he is clean

Red, Green, colors fine

Christmas symbols, they are mine

He, our Savior, Christ

Santa na na na

Rudolph the red nose reindeer

Bursting with pure joy

Jesus gave a gift

We may accept it or not

I choose to accept

 

Today is Christmas

The presents under the tree

Santa came last night

   -Jordan-

 And the winner:

Who picks up the poop

Who picks up the reindeer poop

The elves won’t do it.

 

 

Foster made her debut at our family party.  Jordan and Jennie were pretty protective of her.  They let a few of the women hold her toward the end of the night



These two pictures were taken in the hospital on the 22nd



Pictures from one of the two parties previous to Christmas Eve



Nick is pretty strong.  He is holding Crista on his hands.  Caitlyn, Jieun, Dan and Hyeji in the background

There's a little competition between Camden and Yuli.  
If I'm holding one, the other one comes to be held, too.


Camden and Cait; Cam and Yuli (Yuli responded to me saying, "say cheese.")


Christmas in Georgia


Andy and Elise celebrated Christmas Eve with friends in Augusta:  We missed them, but luckily Roy and I are heading to Georgia tomorrow (Tuesday) to spend a few days with them.
Below: Christmas Day at the Jackson's: Beverly; Bev and Mav; Harvey (mad that he didn't get the dinosaur that Mav got); and Max.

 

Christmas Eve at the Rasbands


 

Sara and Ori, showing off their awesome charcuterie board


Caitlyn provided 3 types of rolls


The prime rib (by Roy); the smoked salmon, smoked and served by Daniel

AJ carved the roast beast

Artwork while waiting for dinner

Adrienne provided these disposable placemats.  They were a hit.





Everyone enjoyed the meal. Above on left: Gunnar and Ruby; on right: Ollie


We had to serve snow crab instead of king crab this year, as the price for king crab was astronomical!
Above: Gunnar, Adrienne;  Dojin, Camden and Bridget

Finn, Dallin, Effie;  Jordan, Foster, Yuli and Hyeji (I think Jordan likes his new little one).

The Nativity




lamb, donkey, fox, angel and lamb
Greta, Bridget, Avie, Ruby and Effie

Finn, shepherd; Ruby, angel

The wisemen: Yuna, Ollie, Doyeon


Dojin, shepherd; Yuli, duck



substitute wiseman, Bridget







The Nativity: Notice Gunnar as the donkey with Mary on his back




We tried a bell choir.  They had fun, but I think we need to
practice beforehand next year. 

The cousin gift exchange





Yuli, Hyeji; Bridget 




Avie; Ila




Greta; Dojin


                       Ruby
Effie



Finn






These two exchanged gifts, but they went shopping together to choose what they wanted.
Ori; Yuna


Doyeon; Hyeji and Gunnar



Other pictures


          



Dallin and Cait;  Jennie and Foster (the baby is only two days old).





 Grandpa opening a gift.




selfies with Caitlyn


Dallin and Camden; Caitlyn and Foster


Christmas morning






Crista's family spends Christmas Eve night with us and then we g3et to see their family open gifts on Christmas morning.  Todd was more than happy with his books about trains and cars.



Foster


The Dan and Jieun Rasband family on Christmas morning

 The Matt and Crista Vance family on Christmas Eve

 Merry Christmas!!!

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