Gerdes Christmas/New Years

On New Years Eve we hung out with some friends & all of our kids.  It was nice to get out of the house and do something fun with other couples, that didn't involve needing to find a babysitter!  The kids had a ton of fun playing together, and the adults even joined in for a game of hide and seek!  I had one of the winning hiding spots...behind the dining room curtains!  We didn't stay late enough to ring in the new year, but it was still a late night for the boys and I!

On New Years Day, we hosted the Gerdes Christmas at our house.  Everyone starting coming around 10:00, and brunch was served about 10:30.  It was delicious!  Fun to have a different type of meal each year!  There was a ton of food and a large variety of things to try,  After brunch, the kids opened gifts and we did an adult gift exchange game, then played Family Fued and Poor Mans Taboo and ended the night with cake for Adriel's 1st Birthday!  Before we knew it, it was 7PM!  The day flew by!  

We got group pictures out of the way first thing!  These are all the Gerdes grandkids, plus the Mesman grandkids that live in Sioux Falls!  So glad they can be a part of our family get togethers. 

Just the Gerdes grandchildren.  Last year at Christmas there were 5, this year we have 7!

Grandpa & Grandma and all the kids!

Grandpa Les is such a trooper!  He wrestled with all the kids.

The kids all sitting nicely, waiting to open up their gift for the cousin exchange.

Boston & Landon were anxious to see what Brigs got from the Eisenga's!

Boston opening his gift from Lindsey & Landon.

New books!  He has really picked up on reading in 1st grade!  It amazes me what a difference 4 months of school has made!

A new Captain America shirt!

Waiting to open gifts from Grandma & Grandpa!

New bath toys!  These were originally purchased for Bronx but Brigham saw them & talked about them for days..so we changed things up a bit!

So excited about another Ninja Turtle!  

Fish Face!  The last one to complete Boston's collection of all the TMNT guys!

Let's hope he loves to play Monopoly as much as his mom!  

Lacey & I played Monopoly Junior a lot as kids!

I quickly put together a poem for Uncle Jason.  Boston hand wrote it and then we framed it.  Jason (and Shana & Alliana too!) is SO good about attending Boston's sporting events, and we wanted him to know how much Boston appreciates that!  

Everyone checking out the gift!  Shana read it out loud for everyone and got choked up.  It was a pretty special gift!

The girls waiting for Family Fued, boys vs. girls to start!

Tim & I were up first!

Chels did a great job putting the Family Fued game together!  The girls won the game!!  

Grandma & Grandpa opening their gifts from all of us kids.

 A wireless printer & a new Willow Tree Angel for Glady's nativity set!

Alliana was so sweet sleeping on her mommy!

My sister in law thought it would be funny to post this picture on Facebook...

That is me doing a head stand.  I think they were all a bit shocked that I had a hidden talent... of standing on my head for a LONG time.  I even did some 'tricks' for them!  Shana, if you are reading this...pay backs are a $itc#.  :)

Glady took all the kids in the toy room for a craft.  They each put together a nativity scene with stickers and then they all song some Christmas songs for the parents.  So cute!

The kids walking out to show their parents their craft!