Halloween

We celebrated Christmas this year at our house this year on Saturday December 17th.  Mike was in from Atlanta, Pat and Eve from Marble Falls and Natalie and Patrick were in from San Antonio.  Also here were Mom, Roger and Joanie, Shaun and Kelly, Nicole, Mark and Debbi, Susannah, Aaron and Christie, Wade and Leslie, Leah, Uncle Jesse and Nicole's friend - Jacob.

Ahhhh - The Deserts!

Joanie's yule logDebbi's Christmas CookiesLeslie's Gingerbread HouseAnd a celebration for Aaron's completion of the MBA program at the University of Houston

 

Ahhhh - The Deserts!

Mom enjoying a glass of wineAaron and Leah - fun with grannyJoanie, Aaron, Leah and GrannyAaron reminding Granny who's the favorite?

 

Ahhhh - The Deserts!

Bro and Sis... Mike and JoanieJoanie and AaronPat and NatalieJesse, Joanie and DebbiPat, Leslie and WadeLeah and Eve - cuttin upNatalie, Susannah and EveFather - Daughter.... Mark and SusannahLeslie and WadeMark, Joanie and Natalie

 

Halloween

Most people have probably taken part in a White Elephant gift exchange at one time or another.  We take pride in ours.  Aaron has brought a new level of sophistication with this - the second year of the annual power point in which we review, discuss, argue and vote on the rules.  The power point and discussion took almost twice as long as the gift exchange this year - but I think we all had as much fun doing both.

Ahhhh - The Deserts!

High Tech power pointPat Stryk - master-at-arms trying to get everyone to pay attentionPat explains some of the finer points of crowd control to AaronAaron - supported by Joanie - the family president - confidently explains the rulesMark and Debbi aren't quite following ???Wade tries to clarify some of the subtlies to LeslieA real trooper - Aaron continues undaunted explaining the rulesMike THINKS he's got it... Granny asks when we can play farkleSue and Natalie wonder if this game is ever going to be overLeah telling Leslie not to worry - we do this every year!Aaron winding the presentation up asks - Are there any questions?Pat, Eve and Leah ask if he can repeat it all againJali promises to kiss patrick if we can stop talking and start playing farkle!Aaron asking Joanie for an honest critique of how the presentation wentNicole thought the Power Point was greatOops - someone woke Uncle JesseEve's telling me to quit taking pictures.Would someone tell Leah, Eve, Debbi and Mark that the show's over?Jacob thinking - how did i end up here?Leslie thinking the same thingMark and DebbiLeslie comforts Jali... We'll play soon

Ahhhh - The Deserts!

Natlie drew #1 and gets to pick firstPatrick giving Natalie and Sue some adviseNicole got some cool glassesUncle MikeWadeNicoleMike and Mom - checking out what she drewShaun and KellyAaron monitoring the flow of the game as Leslie, Leah, Pat, Mark, Eve, Debbi, Christie and Patrick look onNicoleEve's gift turned out to be some sugar daddy panties - which Pat promptly modelsJoanie helps Pat modle the pantiesJoanie helps Pat model the pantiesShaun and KellyShaun gets the frogMike steals the frog from ShaunShaun now has a yahtzee gameWade wins the 'first gift retired' prizeLeslie checking out her cup warmerJesse watching onShaun, Kelly and Nicole hatch a plan to win and retire the gift of their choiceEve trying to figure out how to get the gift she wantsPat and LeahWade and Leslie hatching a planMike asks for a ruling from the floorSue and Natalie trying hatching a planWade gets Salt, Pepper and CoorsPatrick and JoanieWade and ChristieShaunJesse gets another FrogWade and Pat.... That's my Boy!Nicole and MikePatrick gets a cool chip bowlMom asking Aaron when we're going to play farkle?Aaron and JoanieJacobLeahJoanie and EvePat Eve and NatalieMark and MomHoly Rosary's finest... The Coach and the LibrarianJoanie holds up a picture of Mike and Lance when Lance got his promotion to Chief Petty OfficerWadeNicole gets a Fleetwood Mac shirtKelly Shaun Eve Leah and WadeEve Leah and WadeJacob and JoaniePatrick and LeslieLeah

Ahhhh - The Deserts!

Sue Natalie and JacobBro and Sis... Wade and LeahWadeJoanie and AaronWade and LeahChristie, Mom and AaronWade Leslie and LeahSue, Natalie, Aaron and ChristieMom Eve Debbi Roger Mike Pat Mark and JoanieWade Leslie Sue Natalie Patrick Nicole Shaun Kelly Christie Aaron Leah Pat, Shaun Aaron and WadeLeah, Kelly, Nicole, Sue and Natalie