Summertime Happenings...

~The Christmas gatherings we attended this year were very fun! I think we saw everyone this year...which was great! I can see now, how the average person gains 3 lbs between Thanksgiving and New Year's! Sometimes those rich foods and sweets are way too accessible. So here's our pictoral Christmas, for ya! (p.s. sorry about the commentary not lining up correctly...anyone know what I'm doing wrong there?)

~~~~~~~~~~~Christmas at Grandpa Kendall's~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(Justin and his Dad)

Kendall and Carolyn bought the kids some fun toys. They loved them!

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Christmas at Lou and Janeen's:
Janeen had quite the spread for dinner! Yummy soups and finger foods. We had fun chatting and kid-chasing. The laughs and memories are priceless! One of the things I really appreciate about Justin's fam, is their ability to laugh and have a great time! Jolliness is healthy! ;) I think it must come from that hearty German stock... Hee.

Here's Justin and his sweet mom, Janeen, w/ the beloved sock monkey. (flash back from 30 years ago!)

Santa (aka: Poppa Lou) was quite the hit this year. He's one of a kind, let me tell you...we were laughing so hard! (*you'd just have to be there*)

Lots of kids, dogs, and presents!

Auntie Brookie

Madeline and Justin takin' a siesta (and Madeline getting a whiff of the ol' armpit)

The Empty-Nester-Love-Birds (thought you'd like that, Becky:)

Poppa Lou and his crew

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Christmas Day at Dad and Mom's
....arm wrestling...

Dad, exhaused from all the excitement!.

..the infamous "tickle test"...

...music...

Feasting...

Some pretty gals...

Aunt Carolyn, Grace, and Krista (our Aunt is closer in age to us, than she is to our Mom...fun!) I think that has happened more than once in our family!

Carolyn and Matt

...sorry Krista, couldn't resist...

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Christmas Morning:
...began w/ Justin reading The Christmas Story...then, one by one, we opened our gifts to eachother...all of it was practical things~

...so fun to see Uncle Bruce and Aunt Lisa...they were both popular w/ the little ones....

Singing Christmas Carols...w/ Leah at the pIana :)

Krista and Dad

Me and my Honey

George and one of his honey's

Aunt Lisa speaking William's "language" He was wondering about her ;) McKenzie sure thought it was funny!

Spreading some cheer up at the Oaks Manor on Christmas Eve. I'm so glad we got to play together a little bit. We have some very fun Christmas songs..."The Grinch", "Sleigh Ride", and a beautiful arrangement of "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel"