Cousin Gift Exchange & Christmas Lights

December 22, 2024

We wanted to do the cousin gift exchange so my parents could be a part of it, and that was a little tricky.  We decided if we met at their house right after 10:00 church it would work.  It was a little crazy though because we didn't account for Adam and Megan who have 1:30 church in Midland.  

We squeezed a lively lunch and candy exchange in before they had to leave.  It's been a few years since so many people have been at my parents at once, and luckily my mom took the commotion like a champ.

Brit, Ang, Grandpa and I coordinated lunch: hot sandwiches, fruit, chips and drinks.

It was cute to see the young adult cousins catching up.

Let the games begin... The cousins brought their favorite candy and $5 and Grandpa and Ang added a little bit more to make it extra fun.  We put random amounts of money in envelopes, taped one envelope to each candy, and had a gift exchange.  Everyone ended up a winner.  Braddock was the big winner though and went home with the fifty dollar bill.

Joseph...not sure if those socks are the cool thing or if he just forgot to pack dress socks.  I am going with he forgot!

Char making her choice.

It was really sweet to see my mom in the big circle amidst her posterity just snuggling with my dad.  It was a moment of clarity and contentment for her.

The big group

Lft-rt: Adam Bird, Adam, Megan & Gracie Vore, Britney Bird, Brian & Erin Gwilliam, Kate Vore holding Noah (V), Joseph & Benjamin Vore, Grandpa & Gram Vore, Parker Gwilliam, Derek& Brinley Atkinson, Braddock Bird, Aubrey Gwilliam, Hudson Bird & Holden w/ Olivia Vore who you can't see.  Front row: Ella Bird(sucking on her candy), Lincoln & Christian Vore, Charlotte Bird, Erin, Kaide & Tanner Gwilliam, Lauron Vore, Courtney Rodgers & Angelique Vore

The cousins, flashing their cash, with Gram and Grandpa.

We all went our separate ways for a few hours until it was time for hot chocolate and walking the lights at 6:30, followed by our usual Sunday night family gathering.  The Sunday felt a little too busy paced and I was feeling a little bad about having so much packed in.  It especially adds up for the moms who are making and serving the food and keeping everyone on schedule.  Ang reminded me though that it is good to have something to hurry to.  And that is so true!  I think for the kids coming home from the adventurous, exciting pace of college life they at least had a few things on their schedule besides church from 10-11 a.m.

Me, Ang & Joseph serving the hot chocolate

Derek, Bryn & Kate

Aubrey & Bri

Char, Braddock w/ girlfriend Becca, & Ella

Once everyone had hot chocolate, we walked the two block loop together-ish.

Aub, Hud, Lincoln, Char, Ella, Christian, Adam B., Benja, Derek, Bryn, Park, Braddock, Tan, Kaide and Erin

Becca, Braddock, Tan, Erin and Kaide, Brian

Courtney, baby Olivia and Holden, Ang & Brit

We wrapped up the night by hanging at the Birds.  Aubrey has been on a Speed card game kick with her friends.  It spread!  Pretty soon everyone was playing and then Brit organized a tournament.  Just for the history's sake, Aubrey won and Brit placed second.

The Vores headed out around 9:00 but our group stayed two more hours and played in the shop with the Bird family.  I was worried about overstaying, but Brit insisted.  Later she said this was her very favorite night of Christmas break.  It was really fun to watch our kids, who are very different ages, having so much fun together.  Cousins make the best friends.

Adam & Bri

Tan & Hud

Tan & Park

Ping pong was HAPPENING!  Braddock, Parker, Tanner and Hudson played one million games.  Tanner and Hudson were insanely good and very competitive.  They were standing 3 feet off the table and just slamming that ball and returning it to each other.

Derek, Char & Elle playing darts

Braddock & Char, Becca & Elle

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas!