To Uncle Rick's We Go

By the time we got to Rick's he was VERY happy. :) I can't remember the last time Jeff has been home for Christmas.

For years we have pictures of Holly (MaryBeth's #2), Rick (Becki's #1) and Katie together. My how they've grown.

My kids always seem to gravitate to Brandon -- or the other way around. He's lots of fun!

I'm almost done with our trip to Wisconsin so soon I'll be back on track with my updating.

Still Christmas

5 of the original 6 -- Barb's family came later in the afternoon. Relaxing after brunch while the kids cleaned up. Nice!

Brotherly love -- Nathan, Ryan and Eric.

Amanda and Emily with their daddy.

More of Christmas Day

Kellie and Chris with their little "flower girl" Lilly (my great-niece).

I snuck in on Katie and cousin Emily's annual photo shoot. There are about 10 more silly shots of just the two of them.

"The Twins" -- my sisters, Barb and Bev.

Christmas Day!

Kellie & Chris arrived at our hotel bright and early ready to head to Gramma & Grampa's house to celebrate Christmas with lots of family.

Dave cooked delicious omelets for everyone for brunch.

Katie relaxing with Gramma and the newest addition to the family, great-grandchild #5.

Christmas Eve at "Our Place"

Our annual Christmas eve tradition has been to have Dick, Pat and Rick to our hotel. This year Jeff, Michele and Brandon joined us.

I had a blast with the "kids" playing a rousing game of Phase 10.

Seating was limited, so Katie and Brandon had to share a chair.

Happy Birthday Uncle Sammy

After a quick shopping trip to pick up some groceries for Christmas eve dinner and Christmas day brunch, we headed back to my parents house to celebrate my uncle's birthday. Mom didn't have any birthday candles, so she improvised.

It's always nice to see Aunt Phyl and Uncle Sammy (my mom's brother).

Next Up, Christmas Eve Day

Christmas Eve was the busiest day of our visit. Our first stop was at the home of our very good friends, Ruth & Dan (Kellie's godfather). Every year we catch up at their kitchen table and indulge on chocolates and carmel corn. It's always a special visit.

Next was lunch at a little Mexican restaurant in New Berlin with our friend Lisa and her daughter, Rachel. An unfortunate sewer backup made Jed skip lunch. We missed seeing him but had a nice time with Lisa and Rachel. I was surprised to see no one sitting outside for lunch and enjoying the lovely Wisconsin weather. ;)