Family Traditions

This year we spent Christmas Eve with the Gillans. Some of their kids were away on Christmas Eve, so we got together for a "non traditional" dinner of BBQ ribs (which may have to be a tradition now) and festivities! It was so much fun, the Gillans are truly family! We also had a special and touching visit from our neighbor and good friend Connie Allen, who is just like family also!

Before bed, we read from Luke and did the devotional/activity from "A Christ Centered Christmas" Scott and Teresa gave us this book at the family party and it's a wonderful tradition to start. Simple and focused on the true meaning of Christmas. Next year, we plan to start the week before Thanksgiving with each week dedicated to a member of the nativity. What a wonderful little book. Perfect for fhe's.

Christmas PJ's
Santa's Milk & Cookies, or in this case.. Eggnog. Santa really likes Eggnog.

Candy Sled Racing is a must do tradition. Since mom and dad were gone this year, we borrowed Dad's awesome slick race tracks and had a fun little race with the Gillan Family!
Serious business racing in heats

Nice work Jacob!!
That must be Pat's thumb down in the picture... ;)
The line up
Elise and Shannon with prizes. Elise was 1st, Shannon 2nd and Pat 3rd barely beating out Lynn. Karen was 4th and Jacob and I came in last, but ours was really cute. We should really add a category for the heaviest loaded candy bar!
Ok, Elise won 1st place... and she tried something new this year. Can you tell from the picture? We're not saying what that was, because it's our awesome strategy for next year's big family race.... hehehe... It 'twas... sheer genius.... that college education is totally paying off! David Dean if you ever read this, we could let you in on our secret.... maybe.... if you let us play with your new baby!