The Reynolds Family: Christmas 2011

I'm not sure if this Christmas will officially go down in history as our best ever, but it should be way up there on the list. The Fitzpatrick clan arrived before lunch on the 23rd. We worked puzzles, baked, and wrapped gifts. Kyle and Grandfather made their annual trip to Bass Pro Shop. After the kids went to bed we watched reruns of Modern Family.

Christmas Eve was a whirlwind. We spent the first part of the day cooking, cleaning, and otherwise getting ready for the evening festivities. Just after 4pm, we left for church services at First Pres. Gallatin. We brought Jonas into the sanctuary because we were there early and intended to take him to the nursery when the service began. But he was so good that he got to stay for the entire service. Our only awkward toddler moment was when, after the communion plate with crackers passed by, he loudly declared "I WANT CHEERIOS." But for the most part he was content to play with the iPhone and observe the surroundings.

After church a multitude of people descended on the house for dinner. We brought in an extra table to seat the 14 for a steak dinner. We ate and ate and ate. Then we gathered in the living room to watch the kids open their Christmas Eve presents. They all got pajamas - no one saw that coming!

Christmas morning went off without a hitch. Neither of the children cried from overexcitement and/or tiredness while waiting to rush down the hall to the living room. And both were very pleased with their gifts. Scotlen received a puppet theater, a giant stuffed horse, walkie talkies, Squinkies, another stuffed horse, a horse jewelry box, and other goodies that I am probably forgetting. Jonas received an art easel, word puzzles, a plastic bowling set, building blocks, and a giant Quadrilla marble run. His favorite by far has been the bowling set, which he plays with constantly. We have given up trying to keep the plastic pins out of our walkways and just walk around them.

Unfortunately, the elves did not finish one of Scotlen's gifts in time. She had been desperately wishing for a "Jungle Set," but they ran out of jungle animals at the North Pole. Luckily, Santa Clause left a note apologizing for the snafu and promising to have a set delivered by mail in the near future. Santa is a man of his word, the package arrived marked "NORTH POLE" several days later.

After a giant Christmas lunch with eggs, bacon, sausage, english muffins, bisquits, chipped beef, hash browns, and country ham, Grandfather rounded up the Fitzpatricks and hustled them out of town. Though I will say that Auntie shed a few less tears in leaving this year with the knowledge that she was headed back to Alvaro.

Christmas evening was spent at Mimi and Hots's house with more presents and more food. But the fun was not over yet.

Tim, Tuesday, Seth, and Lily Grace arrived on the 26th, and we had another Reynolds Christmas at Mimi's house. I spent the day packing up all of our Christmas stuff and was well pleased to finish that task. But the spirit was still merry and bright at Mimi's. The main highlights of the evening began with Kyle's coronation as Angel of 2011 (despite my best campaign efforts on my own behalf). Requests for a recount were rejected. And the second highlight was showing the grandchildren's Christmas Story video to the family. At Jonas's birthday party, I videoed each of the seven grandchildren saying lines from the Christmas story. I pasted them all together, added some effects, and created a blooper reel. The result just proves that our children really are our most precious gift.

One might think that that was enough family activity for one holiday season, but the fun continued on the 27th as we hosted all the Reynolds and the Carvers for dinner (a total of 20) We chowed on burgers and played Cranium. We will not soon forget Phil miming a mud wrestling match on the living room floor. Later in the week the brothers and sisters enjoyed a night out with dinner and a movie (Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol).

So, you know, we were mildly tired after all of this family fun, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. And I hope we are blessed with the same schedule next year.