Christmas 2007 Round-up

Well, another Christmas has come and gone. Honestly this Christmas was a little unusual. I don’t know if it was because my parents were out of town, just a general lack of planning, our first Christmas together, or what.

On Friday I get a call from my mom saying that my grandfather possibly had a stroke and they were taking him to the hospital in Alabama. That’s how I kinda started Christmas. Thankfully he didn’t have a stroke, but a severe urinary tract infection. He had a stroke a couple of years ago and the infection had weakened him to the point where he couldn’t move his already previously weakened right side. So, in a manner of speaking, that was good.

Saturday my parents left of Tennessee to spend Christmas with my brother and his family. As for me, Saturday began my Christmas gift exchange extravaganza. Our first Christmas occurred Saturday afternoon at our house. Kari’s parents, her brother, and his fiancee came over to exchange gifts between us. Essentially it was our gifts to her brother and fiancee, their gifts to us, and since all the children split the presents to Kari’s parents, our combined gifts to them.

Confusing yes? This would be an appropriate place for a flowchart.

Then we left our house to have a big family dinner at her grandparents place. There we had a big meal, and, are you ready for this, exchanged presents again. This is how it all went down: Kari’s aunt and uncle were down from DC. So they handed out their gifts to everyone. Then Kari’s grandparents gave everyone presents. And Kari and I brought presents for the grandparents and the aunt and uncle.

We spent most of Sunday traveling and spending time with my grandfather in the hospital.

Monday, Christmas Eve. Sadly, I had to work. Once I got home, Kari and I made a nice meal and kicked back to exchange presents. This year I got Kari a new LCD monitor and, in exchange for making a website, I had a quilt made for Kari that featured t-shirts from all of her high school activities. As for me, I got a Nintendo DS and Rock Band for the Xbox 360. Yes, it is one of the most awesome games ever. Afterwards, we attended a Christmas service at Kari’s old church.

Tuesday, Christmas Day. We got up to exchange stocking and see what Santa Claus brought us. Then we loaded up and drove over to her parent’s house to get the gifts from them to us. Then we cleaned up and her grandparents came over along with her other uncle. For this time, we exchanged gifts with her uncle and her parents, grand parents, and uncle all exchanged gifts. Afterwards, there was a late lunch and some card playing.

If you were keeping track, that was 6 separate gift exchanging events. And we still have my parents and brother to do.

No wonder I’m still tired.

If FOX News had existed throughout history.

Invasion Tactical Defense.

Minivan crashes into news studio during live broadcast.

The Christmas Miracle of WWI.

Handbell Hero.

Newspaper Pictures Lead to Arrest.