Jackie and Alan Baker came from Tennessee and Andy, Joni, Trevor, Amber and Reed Hansen came from sunny Florida to join Patty and Ken Sebby, Matthew and Erica Sebby and Thomas and friend Deb for a 13-person (and four-dog) family Christmas.  Andy's family first went to McCall, Idaho for downhill skiing, snow boarding and snowmobile-ing, and then joined the rest of us on Christmas Eve.  Earlier, we had decided to re-establish the home-made gift exchange "grab bag", so we each brought our hand-crafted gifts to put underneath the beautiful tree that Patty and Ken had put up.

On Christmas Eve day, we ate, talked and ate some more and had a Christmas Sing, courtesy of the Florida-Hansen song book.  We ended the evening with a hot game of "hand and foot".   It was the "girls" against the "boys", and I won't mention here who won big!  Thomas Sebby and his girlfriend, Deb, brought their fully automatic Espresso machine from Seattle and it was kept busy that morning and the rest of the day.  Erica seemed to know how to run that thing -- thanks, Erica, for the great Mochas.

Christmas day found us hiding more presents under the tree and eating and talking some more.  Breakfast was another free-style event, featuring awesome cinnamon rolls.  After breakfast, we opened our presents, but saved the Grab Bag 'til last.  As each of us was called for the first time, we followed another tradition of performing some kind of "talent".  Some of us denied knowing that we had to do something like this, but others brought out their props like a pro.  Some were just nice, some were just funny and some were just indescribable! (thanks, Amber!!)   Thanks to everyone for the entertainment.  Jackie and Alan followed their Christmas tradition of giving everyone the same gift -- no popcorn this year, but matching sweatshirts with a Santa and their name on it.  Andy and Joni and Patty and Ken showered everyone with nice and thoughtful gifts.

Then came the much-anticipated Grab Bag.  The gifts were again very thoughtful and showed the significant work that went in to them.  I can't remember all of them, so I won't mention any of them, but trust me, it was great.

>>>>> Note, there will be more to come soon and a Photo Album too.

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