December 21st...Football at the Metrodome: Yes, that's right...Bob played football in the Metrodome and we were all there to cheer him. It was a lot of fun. The kids had fun running around allllllll over the bleachers and on the sidelines. I'm not exactly sure that they knew there was a football game going on, but they did have fun...and Bob's team won of course...like they always have for the last 6 or so years.
December 22nd...Many, many different events today: I went to a lady's brunch in the morning and had so much fun. Then Becky and Bumpa (AKA Grandma and Grandpa H) arrived in the afternoon. They unloaded the truck and the kids could hardly believe their eyes as we put all of the presents under the tree. That evening we had the annual Rivers' Family Christmas Party and then my aunt's graduation party from seminary. It was a very busy day considering the kids had been up to 3am the night before.
December 23rd...Last minute Christmas shopping: I know, I know...I said I was going to be done shopping in November...well, I wasn't. But, neither was my mom...so I don't feel so bad. The last minute shopping was to be followed by last minute Christmas wrapping. Christmas wrapping sure cut in to our Pinochle playing. I'd like to say that Bob and I swept the weekend in Pinochle...but I think we were actually pretty tied by the end of the week.
December 24th...Another very busy day. We needed to figure out when we were going to have Christmas with my family...since my parents were going to my aunt and uncle's and we were going to Bob's parent's. We started to opened presents in the afternoon before we were leaving for church only to have it cut short so we could trying and find a doctor who would see Gretchen on Christmas Eve. Thankfully we got her in and got her treated for her ear infection...and finally by 10 pm she was a happy girl again. So, with Gretchen's ear infection and Jaden's cold...there wasn't too much festive Christmas cheer amongst the kids. (Did I mention that we had all...minus Jaden...had the flu the week before??) Even thought the kids weren't too cheery...we did have a nice Christmas with Bob's family...and we were all able to be together...which doesn't happen enough.
December 25th...Christmas continues: Christmas brunch and board games were on the schedule for us at my aunt and uncle's house. Our family, my parents, both of my mom's brother's and their wives, my cousin and my aunt's sister and brother-in-law spent the afternoon together. If was very nice and relaxed...and relaxed was what we needed.
December 26th...Traveling day: 10pm on Tuesday night we decided that the kids and I would go up north with my parents. Jeremy, Shari and Evie were coming for the weekend and Bob was going out of town so we decided that it would be much more fun to be with everyone than sit at home by ourselves. So we poured all six of us (and yes, we were literally pouring into the truck...there wasn't one more square inch) and headed up north. The kids did very well considering they were in the car all day.
December 27th...Dinner at Bumpa Ying Yang and Becky Dot's (AKA Great-grandpa and Great-grandma H.): We had a very nice dinner with my grandpa and grandma and Margaret. Grandpa is always a good cook and who can pass up any sweets made by grandma. Jaden went next door to Margaret's to play Skippo. Any time Jaden can get someone to entertain him he is happy and Margaret is always happy to be that someone.
December 28th-30th...Jeremy, Shari and Evie: We had a really nice visit with them. Evie is getting soooo big. She is so smiley and cute all of the time. The girls love her. I can imagine what kind of trouble the three of them will get into in a year or so. There is 2 1/2 years in between Rachel and Evie...so three girls in 2 1/2 years could be trouble. Sunday afternoon the kids and I headed back home...in a very nice, new van. Finally we have enough space so that no one can touch anyone else. No touching and everyone could see the movie screen...that might be a mother's idea of heaven.
December 31th...New Year's Eve: Last night we were to a private party at a Bowling Alley/Billiard Room/Arcade/Laser Tag Arena type place. It was so much fun...and it was very cute to watch Jaden and Rachel bowl. They don't do too bad either...at least with the bumpers up. Everyone made it past midnight with no melt downs so it was a good night.
January 1st...today: Today we are just going to enjoy ourselves. My house is a mess and I'm not going to clean it. Once we finally decide to get dressed (it's about 12:30) we are going to head over to Grandpa and Grammi R's to spend the day...well, afternoon/evening. I guess reality starts again tomorrow...well, for everyone but Jaden...school doesn't start again until Monday. We may have to have movie day around here so that I can get this house cleaned and the Christmas stuff all put away.
So, that was our Christmas/New Year's Eve holiday. And since we had the flu and didn't get our Christmas letters done...it's our Christmas letter too. We hope you and your family had a wonderful Christmas and we wish you all of the blessings of 2008. We love you all!!
Bob, Mari, Jaden, Rachel and Gretchen
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