Christmas Celebrations

Family time makes the Christmas season special! We started with the Casey Christmas on the 23rd at Paul's sister Julie's house. We had a wonderful meal provided by all and a white elephant gift exchange that was hilarious. Scroll on down to see some highlights of the day.Mark gets the fancy dusting glove that Paul and Christie found at a shop in Excelsior. I'm sure he'll use it well!
Bob stole back the froggie for his garden that lights up with changing colors. Do you even have a garden in your apartment???
Drew picked the all encompassing Snoopy boxers. I'm sure he'll wear them to gym class.
No gathering is complete without patriarch Roger and his special gal, Elaine. They are a blessing to us all.
Cousin Casey Lloyd demonstrates his cooking skills to Leslee and Roger with Mudde's string bean soup recipe handed down to his mother Ruth (Roger's sister). It was really tasty - another family tradition continues!
Drew and Dryfry entertain the troops with Christmas carols. They even recorded some so we could enjoy the music after Dryfry ran off!
Some of the cousins can get a little crazy. I'm not sure who egged them on - maybe Alison's boyfriend, Jon? He really seemed to fit right in to the mix.
Brenner found this "slippery when wet" white elephant in an antique shop. I actually opened it, but it was stolen at least 4 times before Julie ended up with the prize.
Don't count on keeping the gift you started with - too bad Christie.

The fun continues at Mark's house on New Year's Day because more cousins have arrived from Boston! Dede and Dave, plus Susan and Bob who live in St. Paul will add to the fun! Stay tuned for more eats (therefore my annual New Year's resolution continues on - lose another 20 or so. After loosing 30 this past year, and then gaining 10, I'm sure it will be a breeze - ha!)