Forbes Family Christmas.. along with more..

Josh and I hosted my family's Christmas dinner this year! My sister, Kelly and I thought it was only fair that I get to host Christmas.. she hast hosted Thanksgiving two years in a row.. and its Josh and I's first Christmas in our home.. and first Christmas married!! (wow, that turned into a run-on sentence!) Any who, Josh and I hosted.. The menu was as follows.. Appetizers(provided by my sister, Kelly), Turkey(grilled by Josh and Jackie), Stuffing(prepared by Jackie), Gravy(made by Jackie), Creamed Corn(Mom took care of that), Homemade bread(yum..Mom), Mashed Potatoes(another Mom dish), Green Beans(my sister, Kelly), Cranberries(also, made by Kelly).. then came dessert... Graham Cracker Pie(my dad's fave.. made from scratch by my Mom) and Chocolate Pecan Pie(made by me)... dinner was GOOD!!!!!!!!!


Dinner was followed by PRESENTS.. which is always fun!! Kelly and Trevor gave my Dad a new Packers shirt.. which is the only way to really get a smile out of him... especially for a picture! They also gave my Mom a personalized calendar.. Kelly used Shutterfly to create it, and it was cool! Josh and I gave Kelly and Trevor a new digital Crock-Pot.. something Kelly has been wanting for a long time.. and I must say.. Praise the Lord for giftcards!! Due to Josh's lack of employment, we've had to come up with creative ways to gift.. using giftcards given to us to do it is one way.. going with Becky to card class and making things is another way! Kelly and Trevor got Josh and I LadderBall!!! It is a yard game, also know as Hillbilly or Redneck Golf... its our first yard game of many I'm sure... and we cannot wait for a warm day to get it out and play! Those gifts were followed by many of the ones we've come to expect over the years.. a few new pieces of clothing, a new ornament, money from our wonderful family, and of course the ever-popular bag or box of underwear!! Although we have come to expect these kinds of gifts from our parents.. the excitement of new clothes or shoes, or underwear, or ornament has not faded.. the tradition of getting these things may have even made me love it more... and truly appreciate my parents... they are a constant in our lives... two people we can count on. The gifts may be small in appearance or lackluster to others.. but to me, they display my parents ever-longing-drive to provide and support their children.. new work pants is more than just clothing, its the fact that my parents believe that I will succeed and want me to look nice and feel good doing it!

Wow.. this post turned into more... but I will be blogging later... about the experience of Secret Sister exchange with many of my girlfriends...