Ok, so maybe we've ignored that little rule of NOT trying new recipes the day of a big event! Our ham that according to directions was to be done at 1pm, wasn't ready until closer to 3. The rest of our new dishes: succotash, apple/fennel straws, & green beans with exotic mushrooms all turned out great, just took a few extra chefs in the kitchen to get everything prepared on time (well, for that 1pm we were planning on!) Luckily, Sean had made a big batch of vegetable soup & others brought appetizers so that held everyone over. I can't believe how good all the kids were considering we didn't open gifts until after our late lunch!
With 17 of us here were were spread out everywhere. Granny & Papa Obie were able to Skype with cousin Tracy, Mere showed off her volleyball skills on Kinect again (beating me!) & the two youngest boys seemed to enjoy their first Christmas. Dylan was given a tool set from The Evans gang & he could have cared less to open anything else afterwards, playing with it continuously. Tents & Tunnels, cars, microphones, scooters, phones, toy story characters, plates/cups, calendars & books were some of the fun things the kids received.