Clay County Christmas

Christmas lasted about week for us this year! Here we are in Clay County on Dec 29th.

Caroline either thinks it's summer or it's Christmas in Miami?


Here's Sam's new tractor blanket. He's in there with his head tucked into the pocket designed for feet.

Ok, good, he made it out alive.

Debra has such a laugh going on here.... hmm, what could it be about? Looking cool, Bjorn.
This year we drew names for a family gift exchange with a fitness theme.

In case you didn't already know, Karen was born to run.

Grant, what's up with the pop eyes lately?
We had some happy kids.
Caroline- self portrait.

Some cool Illini stuff!

And the leather jacket from 1985 returned home to its original owner. That jacket has some real significance.

Flashback: May 1985, Gary leaving his leather scent through the halls of our high school, just days before our graduation. And yes, it was rather warm in southern Illinois by May that year.

You know how a smell can bring on a flood of memories? This jacket equals instant memory trigger of really good times some 24-25 years ago.

Aunt Debra seemed to like her SpongeBob tennis balls from Grant.

And Grandpa got his favorites, too.

Warm clothes for everybody. Or some hot cash~~thank you, Ebay.

The Snuggies made an appearance, or two.

We had a great time with lots of family fun...Qwirkle/Uno/New Year's Eve. We hung around for a few days, but then it was time to head home.

I snapped some shots to see what was going on in the back of the van, and to, you know, add some excitement to cruising a 4500 pound van down the highway while doing that pesky boring driving thing.

And then someone realized I was taking pictures.

And then Sam started singing his "My name is Dorf and you'll do what I say."

"Whoop, whoop."

Emphasis on the whoop, whoop.

Check back later to see what else was discovered on the van ride home.