Open House - Christmas # 1

We had our first Christmas on Saturday, December 6th at Grammie and Bates house. It is a tradition that Grammie started last year as Christmas day is now spent at Gigi's (her daughter) house. Grammie and Bates still want to have a special day with all of their kids, grandkids, and great grandkids so last year was our first year at their "Open House". It was a night filled with food, family, and fun! Bates is a wood turner and makes some absolutely beautiful things. Throughout the year he makes special little items and at the Open House we all draw numbers to pick a bag with something in it! By the end of the night everyone is fighting over the stuff he's made but it's all in good fun! This year I opened a beautiful candle holder that Papa turned the base on, Alex got a really amazing wood turned Peppermill, Ethan got a wooden semi truck, and Emma got a game where you try and get the ring on the nose of the little face.

Everyone also got their "normal" gifts from Grammie & Bates. And Emma got EXACTLY what she has been asking Santa for. You can see Grammie & Bates in the middle picture talking to Emma while they hold the present, they were telling her all about how they saw Santa Clause at the Mall and how he told them she had been such a good girl this year and he brought one of her Christmas presents early and dropped it off at their house especially for her! So cute, she couln't believe that Santa had actually brought her a present, then she begins ripping it open and IT WAS EXACTLY WHAT SHE ASKED FOR! :) Way to go Grammie and Bates you guys helped make the magic of Santa come alive for her this year!

Ethan also got some really cool "Boy Toys" as well. Several cars, trucks, and also a big Garage that he can play with his cars in. He's enjoyed playing with it over the past few weeks and especially likes his Lightning McQueen Shake N Go car.

It's always fun when Christmas comes a little early and it was such an enjoyable night with Alex's extended family. We appreciate Grammie and Papa doing this on another date other than the 25th since it makes Christmas day a little easier with one less stop to make! We love you both Grammie and Papa and appreciate all that you do for us!