Christmas001

Hold Mouse Over Picture For Details

Christmas with the Stryk family at Roger and Joanie's. Mike was in from Atlanta, Pat and Eve came down from Marble Falls, and Natalie and Chad came over from San Marcus to join the rest of us for Christmas Dinner and Gift Exchange. We missed Keven and Leah - (Hope you're over the flu Leah and are able to enjoy the rest of your Christmas!)

Patricks new puppy - Jali (Pronounced like Holly) hanging out in the back yard while we open gifts

Debbi with her sister's (Lisa) little baby Jenna

Mike and mom cooking the Shrimp Creole and the home made Chicken Noodle Soup

Wade and Tiffany on the couch and Joanie with Jesse standing behind

Mark with Jenna admiring the pretty wraping paper and ribbons

Joanie, Patrick, Kelly, Nicole, Natalie with Shaun and Aaron standing behind

Nicole, Susannah and Natalie modeling their matching gloves and hats

Nicole opening her new white gold ear rings from her Uncle Mike

Shaun and Kelly - looking at the photo's their Uncle Jesse gave them

Mike trying on his new Super Bowl jacket

After exchanging gifts within the family - we had our annual White Elephant gift exchange. I think we set a record - it almost took 2 hours. As you can tell from the photo's - we had a Great Time with this game even though we never really know the rules!!! :-)

Joanie rounding up everyone for the White Elephant Gift Exchange... It's all Happening!

The Executive Committee (Debbi, Eve and Joanie) discussing the rules

The Executive Committee (Debbi, Eve and Joanie) discussing the rules - Mark's starting to sneak in for a listen!

Now Mark - is that any way to show respect for a member of the Executive Committee???

Chase Nelson and Patrick - Chase just drew the lucky # 1

Pat Stryk - Master at Arms laying down the law

Debbi and Eve - Something cracked them up!

Group shot - Chase Nelson discussing the finer points of stealing gifts.

Tiffany and Natalie discussing what gift Chad should steal for them

Mike watching Patrick open a bag of bath gel's, creams, and all kinds of other stuff soon to be traded off

Aaron Stryk - running on the reform platform promises that if elected - he'll clearly articulate and document the rules for White Elephant in time for next years celebration.

Jesse explaining the finer points of gift stealing to Shaun

Eve consoles Debbi after she gets her gift stolen

Mark thinking ..... Now what is this and what am I going to do with it?

Nicole and Natalie laughing as Tiffany opens 'this year's frog wanna-be'.... A new toothbrush holder

Tiffany scopes out the available gifts to see which one she should steal

Tiffany managed to dump her gift off on Uncle Pat (You can see he's thrilled)

Patrick - doing his part to make sure everyone follows the rules

Debbi got the Grinch and wants to hold on to it!

Joanie and Pat - guess they're trying to restore order to this whole deal... :-)

Natalie and Joanie discussing life, the universe and everything

Nicole and Patrick - Nicole's showing off the necklas she got from her Uncle Mike

Mark - he's giving a speech about how his sister (Joanie) has shown him the error of his ways and that he won't take part in Cat Tossing competition's any more... (or something like that :-)

Jesse wondering - How did I ever get hooked up with this family!!!

Eve and Aaron - practicing their numbers

Pat Stryk asking for a show of hands - Who see's the bird on on my head?

Wade and Tiffany think the bird looks pretty funny on Pat's head

Natalie got caught sneaking a peek as one of the gifts *(Well..... sort of)

Mike, Nicole and Sue through the Christmas Tree

Shaun showing Nicole the Texans Glasses and the Lottery Tickets

Shaun and Kelly - Shawn's trying to figure out how to hang on to the Texans Glasses