Joan on the Road

It was almost a 2-day celebration and now it's the morning after...reflection time. What stands out? Hugs, food, music, laughter! We are so lucky! I took my camera along but got so caught up in just watching the haps that I forgot to take any pix. Maybe Brad and Jimbo will share their photos:)

Jim gave me several movies that have been on my Wish List for a long time, including Shirley Valentine and Il Divo Live at the Greek! Then son Jim gave me the newly released Mamma Mia which includes sing-along versions of all the songs. Boy did Renee and I have fun with that :)

When everyone arrived at Renee and Tom's I passed out the family calendar. Evan was really disappointed that he didn't get one. But then we asked him to be Santa's helper and pass out all the gifts. Every year we try different "rules" for gift opening. One at a time? Free for all? Does anyone pay attention anyway? :)

This year Evan, who is 3, helped Mary get the gifts all passed out and then we let Evan open all his gifts first. He put on quite a show of being overjoyed at each present. Then we let him pick who would open gifts next. He picked his "Grandfather" Jim after much convincing on Jim's part. There are 13 of us and each time Evan spent several seconds, finger on chin, looking around to see who he'd pick next. He's is such a little stinker, making his Mom wait until last. And she had the biggest box of all....a group gift of a KitchenAid mixer.

So that was all great fun and then most of us moved to the game room where the kids had a new Wii. They couldn't get over the grandparents getting into Wii boxing and bowling! Jim especially enjoyed the bowling and is now trying to figure out how we'll fit a Wii into our little house. He's always got some gadget he needs :)

Tom cooked up ribs and a beef roast with homemade rub. Very delicious along with rolls, beans, Christmas jello and a table of desserts. We probably all put on a few pounds unless dancing and singing to Mamma Mia wore off enough calories.

Now I wish I'd been two people. One who could join in all the fun, as I did, and another who could record the moment in movies and pictures. Guess I'll just have to rely on my "great brain" for the memories!