Every year, we have a tradition of celebrating Christmas with our friends, Chuck and Teri, and their 5 kids. Jack and I met Chuck and Teri through our mutual friends, Pat and Rick. To make a long story short, it just so happened that Teri and I were expecting our first children on the same day (Feb 14), the same hospital and the same doctor. We ran into them in the doctor's office when we were both about 5 months pregnant and our friendship grew from there. We were invited to their Christmas party that year when we were both very pregnant and we have celebrated with them every Christmas since then. For many years, the four adults would go out for a nice lunch at some fabulous restaurant, then go back to one of our houses and exchange gifts with the kids. In the early years, it was just Caylen and Wayne. As time went on, we added Sally and they added Brittany, Chas, Keegan and Grace and we have had some memorable Christmas celebrations with the two families. It is always a highlight of the season for our family. A few years ago, we tweaked the tradition and changed it to dinner at home with everyone. We all really enjoy being together. The kids all have great senses of humor and are so respectful and just a pleasure to be around. Last year (the year Wayne got stranded in Remington Indiana due to an ice storm and didn't make it) we changed from gifts for everyone to an exchange/grab bag/white elephant (whatever you want to call it) where everyone brings a gift under $20 to exchange. Very fun. This year we hosted it at our house. There was another ice storm (Wayne did not want to take the chance of missing it again and so came in the night before) and it was so crazy slippery, but they risked life and limb and made it here. Here are some of the pictures from our night.
Wayne presenting the very traditional baby hot dogs
Sally and Brittany, not wearing their matching Minnie Mouse dresses.
Jack, me, Teri and Chuck
Grace made the most incredible three layer red velvet cake. It was beautiful and delicious.
The gift swap. Check out Caylen in the cool hat that she got. It looked so cute on her!
More presents
Chas, Britt and Keegan
Teri and Santa.
One of the best parts of the night was sharing with our friends an imovie that Sally made, celebrating our 25 years of friendship. She did a fantastic job with it. Here is a video clip I made of us watching it. The clip is dark and you can't really see anything, but I love the sound of everyone laughing and remembering. It was a wonderful night.
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