Reinoehl Exchange

We decided to have the Reinoehl side exchange at our house again this year...always fun to have the kids together.  We even skyped with Jenny and family!!! 

Christmas Brunch with the Brughs

 

Another great tradition is brunch at my brothers on Christmas morning.  I always do Thanksgiving and it seems, he always does Christmas...works out wonderful!!!  We always have a great time!

Christmas Morning

We were up by 8 am which seems to be the norm now since the kids are older.  Santa was good to everyone!

Christmas Eve

Tradition calls for Christmas Eve at my parents' house.  Her entire side, including grandma and grandpa made it over this year.  Had a GREAT time!  At one time my uncles decided to have a little fun and holler at the neighbor who had a Santa shirt on to come over and see us.  He even put little grandma Jones on his lap!!!  Good times indeed!

Family pics are a must...

 And this is what happens when you let uncle Rusty take pictures...

Christmas Eve Day and Special Gifts

We exchanged our "Special Gifts" on Christmas Eve Day. 
We went oldest to youngest after Gabi suggested it...
Trenton had Ben and got him a cool item for camping (keeping it under wraps for now)...and a fishing pole holder.

Ben had me and he of course, went overboard and got me an open heart necklace (I love it!)

Tyler had Trenton and he got a Bears poster and a movie.

Gabi had Tyler and he got an IU mug set and an IU t-shirt from her.

I had Gabi and I got her a Cheer necklace and blew up a picture to poster size that she loves.  I took it at WSF just a couple weeks ago and she loved it!

All very good, thoughtful gifts...the whole point to "Special Gifts!"  So very happy Trenon made it in last Sunday and is able to stay until Friday.  A complete family warms my heart.  Took this family pic before heading to my parents' house and fell in love.

And this is too cute not to share...

Dinner and Exchange with Friends

We also held to another tradition of eating dinner and exchanging gifts with close friends, Emma and her mom, Lina last night.  When the girls grew out of McDonalds we started eating at Olive Garden...a common favorite.  This year the girls exchanged sweatshirts proudly displaying what school they will attending next year (high school).  We also took them to get manicures.  I am so proud that we have continued this tradition with them.  Emma said it best in her card to Gabi..."even though we don't see each other as much anymore, you are still one of my closest friends."  So proud of that and such beautiful girls.

 

Tradition with Uncle Dave

For a few years now, it has been tradition to make and decorate cutout cookies for Christmas with Uncle Dave.  This year the cousins gathered yesterday afternoon and they had a great time!  So thankful Uncle Dave is such a good sport and loves to do this with the kiddos!

Santa Claus!

Gabi and Chad's girls have made it tradition to see Santa Claus together and this year was no exception :)  Wednesday Evening they got it done.  Such beautiful girls, growing up so fast!

And we thought Gunnar wouldn't like Santa...maybe it's because this Santa was familiar (Tyler) ;)  Gunnar loved him.  Maizy...well, she still doesn't like him, regardless of who it is, but we tried to get a pic of both of them.

Championship Game

Another nail biter for a while against Pierre Moran but Pierre Moran pulled it out the last quarter and beat John Young for the Big 11 Championship.  A good game though and Gabi's last game to cheer at.  Always bittersweet.

Tournament Game 1 Northridge

Won a close one last night against Northridge...in fact by 2 points with 2 seconds left in the game!!!