2010 Holiday Blitz

We are known in our circle of friends as the family that aggressively pursues holiday gatherings. This year was no exception. The season felt hurried, in spite of the fact we missed our first Johnson Christmas Day gathering in many years, and this year there were no organized Beduhn or Krause extended family Christmas gatherings to attend.

The following journal chronicles our last moments of 2010:

December 17-19: Exactly 6 days after returning from our vacation to Cancun, we traveled to SD to celebrate the Hamann family Christmas (December 18) with Grandma Darlene, before she left to spend some time with Karen and Andy in Washington. In what has become tradition, we snacked on hors d'oeuvres while opening gifts. We then began the white elephant gift exchange, followed by a knoephla soup and ham sandwich supper.

Sisters! This is the first time Ellen has been able to join us for this gathering since 2005, when her nose was in bandages following reconstructive surgery.Max and Nolan
Grandpa EIO to Cody, "Show me your toophies"
Aaron helps Nolan open his gift from Great Grandma Darlene.
Aaron's turn!
Collin meticulously removes each piece of tape on his package, in an effort to make the moment last.
Horsey rides
Grandson puppy pile
My Grandma...no...MY Grandma
Linda and Collin
Aaron scores some new binoculars in the white elephant gift exchange
Grandma Darlene opens a plunger, a light saber, and a pooh bear sweatshirt (all courtesy of Chandra). Her final prize?...an outdoor holiday projector.
December 21: Dinner at Chammps with Ed, Wendy, Laura, Ryan, Andrea, Grandma Lorraine, and Barb in Maple Grove. Grandma Lorraine gave us a beautiful framed water color of a rooster that she painted.

December 22: We hosted the Beduhn family Christmas at our home in Bloomington. Laura and Ryan had a sleepover Tuesday (Dec 21) night, and graciously watched Aaron and Nolan Wed morning so that Adam and I could take Collin to an appointment in Chaska. After we all walked Collin home from school, the party commenced. We celebrated with a dinner of Beduhn comfort food, bow-tie pasta with a salad and crusty bread.

Aaron, sporting his headband and gloves from Uncle Ryan and Andrea.The one thing Collin really wanted for Christmas this year was a light saber...BaPa Minnows and Grandma Honey Honey delivered.
Aaron gets one too!
Nolan is thrilled with his new L.L. Bean sled.
Adam and I spent an hour trying to get Nolan to bed to no avail. Shortly after closing his door, we heard his little padding footsteps down the hall. He stood, smiling in the doorway between the kitchen and the living room, inviting himself to the adult gift opening. He knew enough to avoid his Mom and Dad, though, snuggling safely between Grandma Honey Honey and Auntie Laura.
December 24-27: We returned to SD to celebrate Christmas with Grandpa and Grandma EIO, Auntie Ellie, Reid and Alysha, Ruth, Terry, cousins Tyler and Cody. Unfortunately, I spent Christmas day in a fog, sick with a gastro-intestinal illness that Aaron had on December 16 and Adam had on December 17. Somehow, Collin and Nolan managed to avoid it altogether.

Nolan joins me for some yoga in the living room.
Tom's shoes! This year's gift exchange rules were: 1) $25 donation to a charity of our choice and 2) maximum $25 "As Seen on TV" or sky mall gift for drawn recipient. EeI, EeI, Mooo
Great Uncle Bud (Mousey) and Great Grandpa Orville (and Great Uncle Don) also celebrated with us.
Grandpa EIO receives a new toy helicopter (with insurance!)
December 27: We returned home on Adam's 36th birthday and the boys immediately tore into the gifts Santa left in their stockings while we were at the farm. Unfortunately, the camera wasn't charged, so there is no documentation. Santa brought Collin a new board game, Stratego, Aaron a new bicycle helmet, and Nolan a lighted spinning dradle top and some candy. All three boys also received 2 passes to Nickelodeon Universe at the Mall of America that expire on Feb 28, 2011.