Shively Christmas 2013

Mid morning my siblings joined us at mom and dad's for a Shively Christmas. This is a relatively new tradition that began when Grandma Shively started going to Texas for Winter. We open gifts together and make our favorite foods for Christmas dinner. Mom gets a ham and makes creamed peas and Hay's House rolls. I make Grandma Shively's scalloped potatoes and butterscotch candy (which isn't actually candy at all). Amy brought broccoli salad and made homemade mac n cheese. Everyone ate well that day.

The boys were anxious to get to the gifts so we opened first and then ate.

Mom's Christmas tree in all it's glory this year.

Three boys who've had enough with the picture taking.

Passing out presents.

They attempted to read each of the names. 

Most of the time they got it right.

Waiting oh so patiently...

...whilst sitting on his brother's gift.

Legit muck boots from Uncle Charlie and Aunt Kaci.

Daddy helping Bear out.

After lunch the big boys begged to go outside sledding. There wasn't much snow on the ground, but enough for them I guess. They're accustomed to getting pulled behind four-wheeled vehicles, but this time around they had to rely on man power. They still had fun, and the speed was just right for our cautious Gabe.

Just check out that ramp!

I'll bet he got some good air time. LOL

What an awesome Christmas it was. We have so much to be thankful for. And, I'm not talking about gifts. We have oodles and oodles of loving, doting, healthy family to celebrate with. It is not lost on me that not everyone is fortunate enough to have that. Thank you, Lord, for how you have blessed us!