Christmas with the Guse's

This was my ninth Christmas with Andy's family.  When I started going to their Christmas' there were nine of us.  Now, there are 16 of us.  That is one of the things I enjoy the most about having a family, watching everyone grow and change.  I love getting together with Andy's family for many reasons, and one of them is to watch Alex and Aiden interact with their cousins and get some much needed "cousin time". There are now six cousins.  There are three brothers and three sister-in-laws and his Mom and Dad.  Kathy always makes lots of delicious food and treats.  We all sit around one long (extended) table for meals and enjoy the business that ensues. I love it this way.  

My dad made M&M machines for Alex (and Aiden) to give to their cousins.  What kid doesn't love M&Ms?

Alex and Jenna quickly started up a game of Kerplunk as soon as we got there.

Aiden found Grandpa Guse for some laughs.

The kids (all of them) were so excited for everyone to get there so they could open presents.  It gets busier and busier every year.  But, these are memories the kids will have forever.  Opening gifts at Grandpa and Grandma Guse's and everyone so excited about their new gifts.  They (and we) are spoiled!

Who could ask for anything more?

Christmas was so busy everywhere we went.  The boys were excited about everything else.  This is the best family picture we got all season.

One of the most special gifts Alex and Aiden got this year was from the WI Guse's.  Uncle Mike build them a barn.  Alex puts his John Deere tractors in there and they also gave them animals (Aiden loves them!) that are stored in the barn.  The front piece lifts up for easy organization on the inside.  We have such thoughtful and creative family!

Uncle Nate and Aunty Abby are very special people to us. Nate and Andy are close in age and have always had a special "brother" bond.  Abby is one of my best friends from PL.  We grew up together.  Ever since Mr. Justin's 6th grade class, riding around on the golf cart chasing wild animals, wrestling days and high school drama.  We have gone through a lot together.  Abby went to St. Cloud with Andy and I one weekend to visit Nate when he was in college.  I always knew she would be my sister, some way.  They are both such wonderful people.  They are moving out of state, which makes me extremely sad, but happy for them.  We haven't seen a lot of each other lately due to life.  I hope they enjoy their time out there and sew some of their wild "traveling" oats so they can come back and be around us some more.

When Andy was growing up, he and his brothers always had their picture taken on the family stairs around Christmas time.  For the past few years, we have always tried to recreate this picture with the brothers and their families.  

And with family...

This year was especially special because the kids went to bed early.  Although I went up to check on Alex and Aiden several times; Aiden sound asleep, Alex lying on Andy's and my bed with his arms behind his head and legs crossed wide awake.  But, he did well and eventually fell asleep.  Anyway, the kids went to bed and the adults were able to stay up and play some games, catch up and enjoy each others company. 

This year, instead of the eight brothers and sister-in-laws exchanging gifts, each couple picked a game and we played the dice game for which game you got.  It was a nice change of pace and fun.

Andy's parents received this game as a gift from Dave's brother, Warren and his wife, Diane.  It's a fun game.  I would describe it as an adult Trouble game.

For one of the games, Kristen had to lick water from a bowl or cup like a kitten.  Priceless.  And what else would your sister-in-law and husband do but take a picture?

All six kids together for a nice Christmas picture. 

 

Merry Christmas!