Merry Christmas, Party 1!

Every year my Aunt Linda hosts a party for my Grandma Lanier. It is always so nice to see everyone and catch up, it's like a little family reunion! We have a good time just eating snacks and being together. I know I missed one year, the year Callie was born and we were living in Iowa. I don't know if I have missed any of the others. My mom has a brother and a sister and they each have two children. All together my Grandma has three children, seven grandchildren, and fourteen grandchildren. (I think my fingers counted correctly!) Most of the grandchildren were close in age and we enjoyed playing when we were little. Most of the great-grandchildren are close in age and enjoy their time together.

Grandma Lanier and Callie. The oldest and the youngest! Grandma doesn't mind telling people her age since people can never believe she is 91. Garrett said a while back that she didn't look a day over 84. Ha! We are so thankful that she is here to celebrate. She just finished surgery and radiation for endometrial cancer. She is a true testament to taking care of yourself. I could go on and on. I seriously could write an entire blog just about Grandma. Can you tell she is my favorite person in the world. Sorry to the rest of you I know, you are all tied for second, I promise!

Callie and Madison. Thanks to Madison mama had a day off! Todd wasn't able to go to this party but Madison took care of Callie. Took her outside, played with her. Thank you Madison!

This is Anna Marie, my cousin Todd's youngest. She is packing goodies to play outside. She raided her grandma's to go cups and filled them with punch and snacks.

Uncle Ben, Aunt Patti, and Uncle Jerry. Jerry is my Mom's brother and Pattie is his wife. Ben is my Mom's brother-in-law. My aunt Patti just finished a year of surgeries, chemo, and radiation for Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. She found out she had it right after Christmas last year. I was so great to see her looking so good. She is already back to teaching. We are so thankful for her recovery too!

My Mom visiting with Jay, my cousin Holly's husband.

Clay and my cousin Todd. I didn't get a picture of Todd's wife Jenny. Sorry! I am on the ball, ha!

My Dad, my brother Ryan and his wife Dwan.

The kids running in when we told them it was time to open gifts! We were so blessed to have beautiful weather on this day.

Garrett visiting with Aunt Linda, my Mom's sister.

The great-grandkids waiting to open gifts. Kellen with his back to the camera, Madison, Anna Marie, Gannon, Mason, Braden, Garrett, Mallori and Lauren. Kodi didn't make it in the picture. She is eighteen so I think she has graduated from sitting in the floor! I didn't get a picture of her at all though, sorry Kodi!

My cousin Holly helping Callie open her gift. Holly is the closest thing I have to a sister. Neither one of us have sisters. We are about two years apart, she is older (sorry, had to throw that in there Holly!). I know she would do anything for me as I would for her. Even when we haven't talked in a while, it's like we've been talking every day.

Two of my cousins didn't get to be there. Uncle Jerry's two kids Chad and Lori both live in Texas. Chad has two kids, Jake and Lizzie,that would have been in the mix with all the rest. I don't know if we will ever be able to all be there. I hope so. It is so great to be able to see everyone in person.

I am so thankful that we have moved closer to home. I wouldn't have been able to be here this year, otherwise. I came last year, but Todd and I had already decided I would only be able to come to Oklahoma for the holidays every-other-year.

I am also thankful that we were able to have most people there this year. With the health scares we had this year, I don't know what this Christmas would be like. But God is good, He took care of our family in so many ways in 2009.

I am blessed with a wonderful extended family and I like that my kids are able to be around and get to know them. I am already looking forward to next year!