"Christmas time is here..."

...Well, it was here but now it's gone. I'm actually okay with it being over this time around. Normally I get the "After Christmas blues" but this year the fun didn't stop! Two days after Christmas we all packed up and headed down to Tennessee for Sam and Laura's wedding. But I'll tell you more about that in another post. :)

On Christmas Eve Justin and I headed over to Mom and Dad Ryken's house to celebrate with everyone. We opened gifts, had delicious Chinese food, and played games together. It was such a lovely time to be with our family. 

Here is our gift to Mom, a basket of Lavender things.  

Dad's was a bottle opener you can screw in anywhere. That way you don't have to always find the portable opener. 

To the older three girls we gave hats!

 

Justin got a bunch of wonderful and useful things from the family. I did as well, but I cannot find a picture of me with all my stuff. *shrugs*

After presents the guys played a round of 4 player Chess. I think they enjoyed themselves. 

While we girls played a different version of Scattergories that Cara got for a gift. 

Here is a nice picture of sweet Sara and me. 

We gave Sara the game of Twister but it was so much fun we had to have a family tournament! 

That next morning was Christmas Day (obviously). So Justin and I spent the morning opening our gifts to each other. I gave him a bunch of tools that he is always saying he would like to have, a beautifully engraved pen, some games, and a flashlight. 

He gave me a Britt Nicole CD, a bunch of long socks that I have been wanting, a beautiful charm bracelet  cowboy boot slippers, and a hat! 

Here's a picture of all of Justin's new things.  

And here is a picture of me and all the wonderful things my Husband got me. 

That afternoon we headed over to Mom and Dad Sanford's home to celebrate with them along with Gramma, Papa, Josh, Jen, Jael, Garrison, and Jeremiah Smith. We had such a wonderful time opening gifts and talking with each other. 

Here are the girls hats that we got them.  

We got the boys a fun board game created by the "Myth Busters" a TV show that they all enjoy. 

Sweet little Jael (my favorite niece until March when I will have two favorite nieces!) got a pink backpack with a kitty from us. She liked it and even wore it to Church on Sunday. 

Justin and I opening some gifts from Mom and Dad. 

And from Gramma and Papa, some towels that match our bathroom wonderfully!

My amazing Father made this wonderful coffee table for our living room! He had help from my brothers as well and they all did a fantastic job! Now Justin can have something to put his feet up on when he gets home from work. 

This picture was actually taken when we first got there but somehow it is out of order. Oh well. Here are my beautiful sisters and I. With Papa pictured in the background. :)

 Gramma is unwrapping the gift we got them. An engraved jar filled with yummy treats! 

Mama and her Hummingbird feeder that can suction to a window so you can watch the birds feed better!

Daddy and his magnetic beer bottle opener! 

Jael got a rocking horse from Mom and Dad for Christmas. She likes it!

Josh and Jen made my parents these humongous domino's as a gift! Of course they had to break them in by playing "Sanford Domino's". 

Justin was also able to shoot his new shotgun while at Mom and Dad's. They had some clay pigeons they were throwing to make it more fun.

And that ends our lovely Christmas Eve and Christmas Day celebrations!! Check back soon to read all about our trip to TN for our friends wedding. 

Until then!

~Melinda