The Hopkins Christmas

Well, I bet you are wondering what was soooo amazing that I had to miss our Swedish traditions...well....I've got nothing!

It is that darn marriage stuff...having to compromise and stuff...dang eternal salvation... Ok I'm joking! We get to switch on and off each year with Christmas...so of course, this year was Hopkins! Lets start with Sunday...

Sunday was a celebration called "Merry Christmas" JD's family invited a few other families over and then it began. We all gathered together with boards in one hand and beans in the other. Then I heard a B-12...and then O-64, I-17, N-37...and bing...I mean "Merry Christmas!" Yes, it is BINGO! But you have to yell Merry Christmas...then you get a present. After the fun was over and all 30+ people got a Bin..Merry Christmas, we shared Christmas stories. JD picked his favorite Christmas....which yes, was our families! He said that it was his favorite even though he had to eat pickled herring! Love it!

Saturday, Christmas Eve, was JD's family with his Aunt Keri's family. I have some pictures of the festivities:

Darci, Amanda, Braden, Lindsay and Ross!

Above is JD's Aunt Keri. We took turns reading various stories printed off the Internet.

JD's cousin Samantha reading her story.

JD's uncle Greg...he is the stuff! He puts the program together. Each year he writes a poem about everyone in the family and it is hilarious...of course my part had to do with living in Hamilton and not knowing about indoor plumbing...that poop head!

And Taylor...not much of a talker...as you can see. He's fun though! They have one more sibling, Christopher who is serving a mission in Brazil!

And for Christmas Day:

We arrived at the house around 9:15ish...I love all adults....sleeping in is the best!

Here I am in my cute little PJ's! We got some good stuff this year! Decorations for the house, a griddle, crock pot, some electrical tools, clothes, puzzles, and the best present was from JD...he painted my living room for me! It looks great!

JD and Ross (Brother-in-law) got these really cool deer shirts...ha ha ha! Won't they be cute old men?!

Braden, our nephew, is getting sooo big! It was fun to have a kid there to watch open presents! He was sooo excited for his new toys....but you know what he really likes? Was the wrapping paper and bows! I wish it was that easy to keep JD entertained!


John, Tina and Amanda taking a break!

Lindsay, Braden and Ross, trying to get breakfast in between opening the many barnyard animals!

This is the only one of Darci I got...she would be mad if she saw this! ha ha ha!

It is not Christmas...with out the Tomte! Yes, I'm up to 3 and a rug now!

Thanks Mom!

Well, I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and hope to be able to see you all soon! I feel like we live in a different country! I love you all and miss you!!!