Christmas at the Rasmussen's

Around three pm on Christmas day we left the Young house and headed to the Rasmussen house where Amy and her kids and Wyatt and his kids were hanging out with Mom and Dad. The excitement at having all those cousins to play with was pretty intense . . . and loud.

There were a few presents to open when we arrived. Dad gave me a copy of the first six McGuffey's Readers originally published in 1879. AWESOME!!!! They are all hard-bound and beautiful and I can't wait to read them with Miriam. Yeah, yeah, yeah!!!! Have I mentioned my parents spoil me rotten? They do. Mom kept finding me dark chocolate covered lemon chocolates the whole time I was there. And she made me a turkey dinner with dressing and gravy. She let other people eat it too, but I know it was for me because I've been asking her for dressing. She loves me like that. And my sister Amy gave me a pair of bluejeans and an olive green shirt. Timothy was thrilled when I put the outfit on. He hasn't seen me in anything but yoga capris in a long time. I got a few kisses. Amy, I owe you.

Really, Sunday night was the highlight of our time there. We slept over Saturday night, went to church Sunday morning, had a huge turkey dinner and then sat around in the living room for a few hours playing the Barney game while the kids were banished to the downstairs with warnings to keep the destruction and noise to a minimum. I love the Barney game. Even though nobody will let me and Timothy be on the same team. I know we're good, but we shouldn't be punished for it. Despite that, I cuddled with Tim and basked in the reflected glory of just how good he is at the game. Yes, he's my man. Plus, he was wearing the outfit I gave him for Christmas and he looked hot. Dad even pointed it out several times. You probably had to be there to appreciate that last comment. Let's just say my mom oohed and aahed over how nice Timothy looked so my Dad had to turn it into a "thing." When Lindsay and Sterling came later, Dad made Tim pose and turn for them. It was pretty hilarious.

Sunday night, after the children were distributed to various bedrooms and/or under the incredible tent Uncle Ethan made them, the adults + Olivia and little Megan played couple Scattergories. Everyone was in a very good mood. You can never recreate in words what was so funny in real life, but for Kayli and Kami, who weren't there, I'll give you a taste. They'll be able to imagine.

For example, Mom snorted milk. Wyatt ripped up napkins and threw napkin balls into people's cups. Mom told him to stop and then tossed a napkin ball into his ice cream in a perfect shot, and then she whooped and cheered while Wyatt protested. Then Dad challenged Wyatt and Sterling to a "man game" and they competed at who could keep their wedding ring spinning the longest. (Timothy didn't have his ring so he couldn't compete in the "man game.") Wyatt told us about when he tried to get his kids to show him more respect and call him "Colonel." Thereafter, Amy took every opportunity to call him Colonel. You can imagine. We quoted What's Up Doc--"he tried to molest me." "That's . . . unbelievable." Hee hee.

When Dad questioned my answer "water" as a w word for something in the room, I poured water on his hand. It was an accident. I thought I had drank it all and a few drops would land on him, but there was still quite a bit in the cup. Dad was chuckling, with his crinkly eyes, and saying things about how he had a "null hypothesis" and everyone else was laughing at my expression of surprise. Timothy and Wyatt were in rare form and, of course, Amy was there. Enough said. At one point, Timothy made a joke and Amy said, "This is a very serious game, Tim. Try to keep the joking to a minimum." Very funny.

I know, I know, you had to be there. To sum up--usually only Megan laughs so hard she cries. Sunday night most of us were crying we were laughing so hard. It was one of those nights. Perfect.

We didn't get home until midnight, but it was a wonderful thing to lay my head down in my own bed and know that my children were secure in their beds. Today (Monday) we've chilled out. I told the kids they had a free day from chores and I've just enjoyed watching them play (it was like Christmas morning all over again as they explored the presents that have been packed away in the van since Christmas morning) while loading pictures and blogging and unloading suitcases and doing laundry. I love being in my own little house with my own little family.

I hope all of you are enjoying your holiday as much as I am. Merry Christmas.