This year we had my side of the family at our house on Christmas Day. When we are all together there are 19 of us, so it is quite a group.
Here we all are eating dinner. We put tables up in our family room downstairs where we had room to set up 3 tables.
Here we all are eating dinner. We put tables up in our family room downstairs where we had room to set up 3 tables.~~~~~
Those of you that know my family have probably heard about the "Santa letter" tradition. Anyone who has done anything unusual or to tease someone during the course of the year is a candidate for one of these letters. It is a letter that tells the person how disappointed Santa is in them and often contains a gift that may help in the future. These are handed out after the regular gifts are done and if you peeked in at us during the reading of a letter, you would most likely find us laughing so hard we have tears running down our faces!
Andy received a letter reprimanding him for not telling Santa where he would be on Christmas Eve. Santa feels that ever since Andy joined the army he has been moving all over and not leaving a forwarding address.
Here is my Dad's new wife, Ann. She was initiated into the family by receiving a maternity shirt to wear. Santa thought perhaps she could use this, after that quick wedding occurred. (It's a good thing she has a good sense of humor!) My niece Katelyn also received a gift from Santa, but I don't have a picture of her. She got some brown hair dye as she has been observed doing some "blond" things lately.
Here is Laura opening a gift. She was suspicious of this gift and was very careful when opening it. She has been a frequent receiver of Santa gifts, in part because she is easily teased but also because she is often the instigator of pranks on other people!
There was a stuffed squirrel in the box. She got this as a pay back for a squirrel incident that happened to my sister Cheri last year. (we went away for a weekend as a family and Laura and Aaron propped a dead squirrel on the top of Mark and Cheri's van) We do have a strange sense of humor, but we sure have fun when we're together!It was great to have the whole family together to celebrate and have fun.
Mari, your family get togethers sound wonderful! I'm a little jealous! I love how much you all laugh together, that is awesome!
ReplyDeleteVery different from our traditions but what a clever and hilarious idea! The maternity shirt was my favorite. Too funny, and I'm glad she thought so too! ;) Did you get a letter and gift? Are ya holdin' out on us?
ReplyDeleteMegan - I have been a good girl this year - no letter for me. I have to admit that I have gotten one in the past though!
ReplyDeletesounds like a great tradition - I might have to institute that into our day.
ReplyDeleteWe do enough bonehead things during the year that no doubt it would be easy to come up with dozens!
That sounds like sooo much fun!! We also do a few quirky things to have fun! Oh the joys of family's huh?? I also loved the maternity shirt, what a hoot! God bless.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas Mari! Thanks for sharing your day. It sounds like you all had a wonderful time.
ReplyDeleteMari,
ReplyDeleteThat is AWESOME!!! I sure would have a great time hanging out with your crew! We have the same sense of humor...never heard of or thought about the Santa letter and gift, but now I have it in my head and it may be the makings of a new family tradition!
Thanks for the idea and for sharing your family with us!
Melissa
Awwwww looks like you had a wonderful Christmas!!!!
ReplyDelete~melody~
Too funny!! I love the idea with the Santa letters! My family isn't that creative or fun so I don't think we'll be doing that anytime soon. However, it's something we can implement down the road in our own little family! It sounds like too much fun!!
ReplyDeleteWow! It looks like your Christmas has been just as busy as mine! That is a huge crowd at your house! I don't know how you do it all! Merry Christmas, Wonder MOM!
ReplyDeleteIt was so fun- I love it that we were ALL together this year!
ReplyDeleteY'all are soooo funny! Good thing everyone thinks so - A maternity top - hehehehehe!
ReplyDeleteHehe, I love the santa letter idea. What a riot!
ReplyDeleteIt's wonderful to have such a big family together at Christmas! We were blessed to be home with our boys. We had a quiet day.
ReplyDeleteWe had so much fun, didn't we? Our Santa letters are just the best. We're already thinking for next year!
ReplyDeleteWow! Look at that family! That is such a gift in itself, to have everyone there and able to come. It seems like it gets harder as the years go by to get everyone under one roof in my family. My mom would be terribly jealous, I'm sure. :)
ReplyDeleteYour kids are beautiful - how blessed you are!
Merry Christmas!
Jen
Mari,
ReplyDeleteYour family sounds just like ours, lots of joy and laughter.
Can I be adopted?!?
Love, Joanne
That sounds like a tradition sparked with laughter. What a great Christmas
ReplyDeleteI loved reading about your Christmas! I have been reading your posts, just haven't been by to comment!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you're enjoying this time with your precious family! You all are so blessed, and I love your letter tradition!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, friend!
What a gathering!
ReplyDeleteI love the Santa letter idea. What a lot of fun.