more firsts

There is a long standing tradition that we've had with the Hammons.  I'm not really sure how - or when - it started, but now it is an integral part of our Christmases together: Grab Bag.  This is our variation on a Yankee Swap/White Elephant, with one key difference:  usually Brooke is in charge of collecting all the gifts ahead of time.  In years past this often included regifting some of the things the teachers got (don't tell the students!) or even getting things at the local "swap shop" at the town dump.  There have been some gems of presents.  Vanna White's autobiography stands as the creme de la creme.  :)  This years' gifts were a bit better, and we came home with a new candle, a cookie mix in a jar, and a nerf football for Kyalo.  I loved being part of this again after so many years away, and also introducing Dexter and Kyalo to it.  Their lives are forever changed.

Everyone came early evening on Christmas day, and the fun got started right away.

But first, since we'd had steady snow all morning, Dexter needed to shovel.

His first time!

It was important he clear a path for the guests - we wouldn't want them to miss the house!  I'm sure (or at least hoping) he'll get another chance at this later in the winter.  We need at least ONE good storm, don't you think?

 Alyson and Albert

 all the gifts deceptively wrapped to look appealing

Kyalo picking his gift - don't these boys look changed?

Grab Bag will do that to you

After a raucous grab bag, and exchanging of a few real gifts, we settled into the evening: desserts and conversations by the fire. . .

And there was even an impromptu Story Hour . . .

the newlyweds, getting in some practice

There was even a chance for some games at the end of the evening - and I hope this will be a new tradition.  Pit is wild and loud and energetic, perfect for ending Christmas day, don't you think?

At the end of the evening, Kyalo helped Albert collect his things, and decided to borrow his hat:

gosh I love him

And that wraps up Christmas for another year.