Grammie & Papa's Open House

We went to Grammie & Papa Bates Christmas Open House tonight. I think this is the 3rd year in a row that Grammie has hosted us a few weeks before Christmas. It is one of our most favorite "new" traditions for the season! We all get to eat, exchange gifts, and of course fight over all of Papa's wonderful woodworking creations!

Alex spent a little time with our niece McKenna.

All the adults get to draw numbers and play white elephant for all of Papa's woodwork. In the end even though we draw numbers and play the game there are still usually some fighting and trading that goes on afterwards!

This is the first year that Great Grandma Jones was not present with us for a family gathering as she went to be with Jesus in Heaven this past Spring. Grammie had gone thru a lot of her croche' and handmade ornaments and we all cried as we remembered her and were able to choose something special to have of hers. All the big grandkids were gathered around Gigi looking at all the glitter Christmas Star ornaments.

To say that we have a spread of food is probably an understatement! Grammie always outdoes herself and we all enjoy it! She's an amazing cook and host!

YUM!

We attemtped to get a photo of all the kids before the present opening took place but somehow we missed McKenna! I think Pop Pop may have been doing what he does best which is being a baby hog! So here is who we got: Emma, Ethan, Gabe, Ellie, Charles, Gavin, Isabella.

Emma was so patient while she waited to open her gifts and when it was finally her turn she tore into them!

An Easy Bake Oven - JUST WHAT SHE ASKED SANTA FOR (only the day before at that!)

I adore this photo. Emma nearly knocked Grammie to the floor giving her such a big hug to thank her for her gifts.

When it was the boys turn to open gifts they all had to do it at the same time...Ethan is ripping into his gift here...I wonder what it could be?

Our Nephews Gabe & Gavin were SO excited with their new Buzz suites....little did they know what was coming next!

Ethan was getting all suited up in his Buzz Suit as well with Daddy's help.

After they all got suited up they each got one more gift....

Buzz Lightyear Wings!!!!! To say all the boys were excited would just be the understatement of the year...they were all squealing like little girls and jumping up and down, the Daddies couldn't get the batteries in fast enough! Once Ethan got his jetpack on he went to Grammie's mirror to check it out - these things are so cool!

So of course we had to take them all outside and let them "fly". It was so cute seeing all 4 of them (Charles, Ethan, Gabe & Gavin) running around Grammie and Papa's front yard with their Buzz Lightyear suites and wings on. What a perfect gift for all these boys who LOVE Toy Story!

To Infinity & Beyond!

Grammie & Papa with the Boys. To say they got the perfect gift for these boys is a definate yes. As usual we had a great time, laughing, eating, opening gifts, and enjoying each others company. Christmas is a time to celebrate and celebrate we did!