Boxing Day

We celebrated all the Christmas things with the Elwoods on Boxing Day at my parents' house. It was a day full of food (tortellini and ham and salad and rolls), cousin time, music, presents, and games. It's always a lot of noisy fun when we're all together.

My dad gave my mom these kids bells a few years
ago and the kids always gravitate to them whenever
we're at my parents' house. (Sam was playing them by
himself earlier, but not photo was taken.)

Present time! We draw names among the siblings
and spouses and have a separate drawing for the
cousins. I had Nate and got him this painting of Beaver
Mountain that my friend Holly the Painter did as part of
her ski area series. I think he loved it. I know it's one of his
happy places. :)

Gregg had Kylie and got her a butter crock
since the last time she was at our house and used
ours she said, "whoever has me for Christmas can
get me one of these!"

Cal had Maggie and made her an apron
(as we do) and got her a book and a Bluey puzzle
(she's a big Bluey fan).

Sam had Zoe and picked out a Pete the Cat
book and the same Bluey Puzzle set.

And because I am that book aunt, I had the kids
pick books for all the rest of the cousins from
our stash.

Gregg got a bike pouch to carry an extra
tube on his mountain bike (plus an extra tube
to go in the pouch) from Terrell.

Sam got more minecraft legos from Grace.

Cal got a heating pad that Evelyn sewed
with her mom and Sam got a bonus assortment
of toys and things from Bradley just because.

Ky got me a cute little nativity that nestles
together like a puzzle.

And my parents got each family an adventure/experience.
We got gift cards for Boondocks - activity passes, arcade tokens, and food!

After presents we played the chimes, which is always
an entertaining time.

And then we had a little recital where many piano
and guitar solos were performed.

We had a reader's theatre with songs that my mom got from
the friend and it was fun to hear the kids read all the parts this year.

Grandma Great gave the girls these fun sequin
sticker kits and the boys got lego kits and they all
spread out on the table and played and crafted for a good
long while.

The sisters (plus Cal, eventually)
played a good game of Hokie Five and then
others joined us for a rousing game of Pit
to close out the evening.