Christmas 2012

We celebrated Christmas in Minnesota on the 16th. Ed got me the Northface jacket I had been wanting. I got Ed some dvds and clothes he had been wanting. Of course Mav couldn't be left empty-handed, he made out with a large candy cane shaped bone and a new stuffed toy....to de-stuff :) A few pics from around the house for Christmas!

Mav by the tree

Stockings by the chimney

My snowman table!

Mav and his new bone

Mav loves his new toys

In keeping with our tradition of traveling for Christmas.....we headed out to Michigan/Indiana this year! It was a little snowy the day we were supposed to leave so we stayed home that night and relaxed and then got a jump start at 5 am the next day. We ended up making good time and still got to Janet and John's by late afternoon. After 9 hours in the car, Mav was ready to play. Luckily so were Max and Sam! We had a relaxing rest of the day. The next day everyone arrived! There were 10 adults, 2 kids, and 5...yes FIVE dogs. It was crazy, chaotic, and SO much fun! We loved every second we got with our family. Due to the distance between us all we rarely see our nieces so it was so fun to get a few days with them. We went on a long hike with them through all the dunes with all the dogs in tow. It was a perfect idea, when we got home it was nap time for all the pups! The rest of us watched movies, played games, and then Janet had a birthday cake to celebrate Ed's 30th a few days early.

Mav running on the beach

Mallory walking on the Lake Michigan shoreline

Headed towards the Dunes

Mav says "So you're saying you DON'T want me to go for a swim?"

John, Andy, and 4 of the dogs on top of a small dune

The next day was Christmas Eve. We opened gifts in the morning, baked Christmas cookies, played with our new gifts, and eventually headed to Eds Aunt's place to see extended family. While there it was more food and games! We played apples to apples with all the kids...I had my 5 year old niece on my team and let her make all the choices.....somehow this adorable little girl actually won the whole game....twice!!! Maybe I should think like a 5 year old when I play it :) She was so excited to have won both games, it was adorable. Keeping with tradition shortly after dinner, Santa came to the house to give all the kids a gift. I absolutely love this idea and can't wait till Ed and I have kids of our own to do this with.

Mav navigating through all the gifts

The girls gettin ready to pass out gifts

Making Christmas Cookies

Grace's Creation

Mallory working on her Cookies

Cadence passed out on the couch!

Janet's Tree

Grace and Winnie snuggling

4/5 dogs waiting by the treat closet for Grandma :)

Mav and Max playing tug of war

My happy boy in his Christmas collar!

Family Picture of the Geary side....and all 5 dogs!

Les & Nate....guys you look lonely without a dog....hint hint :)

Ed, me and Mav

Courtney, Andy, Mallory, Grace, and Winnie

All the girls!

John, Janet, Max, and Sam

Kyle, Marghi, and Cadence

For Christmas day we drove down to Indiana to see the Collin's side of the family. We played a really fun trivia game that I totally sucked at but it was still fun :) We opened gifts and then had a delicious meal. Shortly after all that Ed and I headed back to Michigan since we had to get up early for the "fun" drive home the next day. We made it back to Michigan in time for a fast walk on the bluff before packing up everything.

The Collins' side of the family

Walkin on the bluff

Look Mom, Polar Bears!! :) Haha

We got out of Michigan early enough on Wednesday that we hit virtually no traffic on the drive home which was great. It was a fantastic Christmas. As always it is always hard only seeing one side of our family for a holiday but we sure enjoyed the family we did get to spend it with :) Can't wait till our next Christmas!!