December Daily-Day 20

This about sums it up. Look at the individual faces here. Its priceless. Angi, it seemed like a good idea at the time.... Saturday we traveled to Grand Ledge for Christmas with my Grandpa Freed. There are 19(I think) Great Grand Children. My Grandpa's home is very small. THIS was true chaos. But so worth it:)

My Reid dude. Yes, he was drinking Mt Dew. I didn't care, I didn't have to ride home with him!

My Cousin Christin's new pup. He was sleeping between Ang and I on the couch. I was a bit worried about such a tiny little guy with all those kids. But he was fine.

My cousin Jessie. She really isn't as scary as she looks here. Except when she's chewing out her brother. Yikes! (lol!)

Grady found his Papa.

Quincy loves little ones like no other. Teagen is not easily won over, but adored Quincy.

My girl.

My cousin Caroline organized junk bingo for the kids to play downstairs. GREAT IDEA. Basically each family brings a bunch of random toys and they are put in a box or pile, and the kids win a pick when they get bingo. At first the kids didn't want to part with their junk. So I just picked stuff on my own and they were fine. Of course we came home with different junk, but at least it gets played with:)

The adults do a $10 White Elephant gift exchange. Very interesting, I'll tell ya. I ended up with some Victoria's Secret lotion and Jason got one of those package opening tools. I saw everything from bottles of wine to origami kits to multipliers to Coffee mug sets. Of course everyones favorite it something handmade or lottery tickets. So they get fought over the most. Its funny to watch.

Aunt Bunnie and her guest, Bill. She was letting him have it for goofing off in all the pics. I guess I know where Jessie gets her stink eye from! You guys are super cute.

The Rock and the Cindy. Posing for someone else.

And last but not least, my Grumps. I am posting a shot of the Santa's he did for us this year separately.. I don't know how he does it, he made at least 13 just for family gifts and many many more for sale. And they are stunning. Some of my most cherished possessions. He's 80. Hes truly amazing.

I really had so much fun, but its the 1st Freed Christmas for me without Grandma, and that was harder than I expected. I usually think my sadness this time of year is for my mom or even the miscarriage. But I realized that I miss Grandma a lot this year as well as the Christmas' of our childhood. Of being at Freed's and there being the popcorn balls(that I don't even like) and fudge. And my moms cinnamon rolls. And playing with our new toys and it being dark and the tree being lit up. And the TV being on. And the grownups playing cards. And lots of laughter(which there still is)especially hers. I miss the smell and the sounds. And either staying the night, sleeping on the floor or driving home so late and being in footed pjs and sleeping the whole way home. The memories are so vivid for me and I cannot express them properly in writing. But that's life, it just keeps changing. I really don't like footed Pjs anymore. I am trying to take it as a lesson to enjoy the NOW. A work in progress.