We did Christmas a little different at the Sohre household this year.
We did it the weekend before Christmas. You see in my entire 32 years of life we have always done it on Christmas Eve. It is kinda a thing. We get spiffed up, go to church, then come home and celebrate with good food, good company, and of course gift giving and opening presents.
This year in order to have the entire family around we did it the weekend before. This allowed Darrin to bring Mandy (his girlfriend of over a year). All-in-all this worked out great.
We started with a holiday noonish meal of ham and all the fixings. Then some socialization and naps for the youngsters, then a course of snackies and more gathering and then gift exchanging and opening presents.
It didn't end there though, someone got the idea that the entire family should stay over night. See 4 of the 6 families live in the area, so they certainly could go home (they usually do). Having everyone stay over night allowed us to socialize some more and spend more quality time together and to have Dad make us breakfast in the AM... banana pancakes (they are the best!).
Staying overnight meant 12 adults, 12 kids, and 3 dogs sleeping in a 4 bedroom/3 bath house.
Amazingly it worked and was lots of fun.
As you can see Santa (AKA my Mom) went with a theme this year of giving us all
"Property of the SOHRE family" t-shirts.
I have to say I kinda like them and we had a blast modeling them.
I think the in-laws did too. They got the treat of fleece PJ pants too.
Jared taking a cat nap in the middle of all the excitement with his new toys.
Me and my Sweetie.
The new addition to our Christmas this year was Mandy. This is Darrin's girlfriend. The tradition is the potential in-law gets a stocking... but kind of a homemade, previously used kind.
When she makes the cut and joins officially then she gets a real stocking that matches everyone else!
Gracie trying out her sleeping bag that she got from Grandma and Grandpa.
Zach opening his sleeping bag.
Great Grandma and Jared.
My happy little Jared.
Great Grandma and Grandpa come over for a visit too.
It was nice they joined us.
Gracie with her mermaid barbie doll.
Boys: Joe, Jesse, and Zach.
Some of the grand kids surrounding Grandma waiting patiently for presents!
Gracie and Great Grandma Sohre.
A bunch of the kids.
Some girl cousins: Kate, Paige, Maesee, and Maddy.
And the wonderful lady who runs the show and makes this all possible:
My Dear Mother.
Thanks Mom. Love You.
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