Thanksmas. Or Christgiving?

This past weekend we got together with my aunt's family for a combo Thanksgiving - Christmas dinner and thankfully she served steaks because we were on a turkey bender and I was so ready to get off that ride.

We had the party at grandma's house, just like we've always done.  Amy even put up a small tree and got stockings for the little ones.  The first thing I did was take a picture with my mom before my lipstick wore off...she obviously was so hungry, she ate hers.

It never fails and it's almost a tradition at every gathering we have these days.  My mom started a full on fire in the stove trying to brown the marshmallows on top of her sweet potatoes, and this time I had my camera in-hand!

When Ryan saw the pan on the counter he very excitedly said "I want some chocolate cake mom!"  Sorry honey, this charred dish isn't even fit for the wild cats.  It did not go to waste however, they just cut the black part off like it was no thang.

This kids scooped up dinner as fast as possible so they could stand in front of me and say "can we open presents yet, can we open presents yet..."

As soon as Haylee saw candy in her stocking she couldn't focus on anything else.  She wouldn't open a single present without some sort of taffy or chocolate hanging out of her mouth, which I found particularly cute.  Amy bought her a dress with some tights and shoes...and a few (three) purses to go with her outfit.

Ryan got a fishing pole with a tackle box and lures so he is all ready for summer to get here!  I wish there would have been a boat under that tree to go with it.

I was busy watching my two little ones but then managed to snap a few pictures of my niece and nephew, although I didn't see what they got!

I asked Layne if he could smile for just one picture and he said with the straightest face, NO.  Just take a damned picture of my deer ears lady and move along.

David is into glass fusing these days using a kiln in the microwave and he's making beautiful jewelry and selling it to everyone at school!  My aunt picked up a nice kit of colored glass, all different kinds...including glow-in-the-dark.  Who knew that even existed?

While I was taking pictures of the kids, I couldn't leave my cousin Whitney's out.  She's fifteen and in colorful animal hats?  I give the girl props because when I was her age, the only thing I was into was cigarettes and under-aged drinking...my how times have changed!

The girls and kids had a really good day, reminiscing and visiting...at least we moved from in front of the television which is more than we can say for these guys.  It must be like an unspoken rule - if you have a wiener you have to be glued to a football game every holiday.

Thanks Amy for having us over, for providing the awesome steaks and for the gifts you bought for all of my brood.  Your hospitality was very...Thanksmas-like.