Christmas with The Shattucks - 2008

This year we decided to head to MI to be with Dad on Christmas day since we had already had our "own" Christmas and Christmas with the Cooper side. We were able to surprise Dad the night before, by driving up and knocking on his door and singing "we wish you a Merry Christmas" : ) He was very surprised and very happy to see us! We knew my sister would be there for him, but we thought it might be nice if we would be there for him too since this was his first Christmas without Mom in over 50 years. We had a very nice dinner, thanks to my sister Darlene who prepared 90% of it : ) After dinner the kids wanted to open gifts but since we opened all of ours here at home, there were only gifts from Papa that the kids could open. Usually they open them when all the family is there, but they talked Papa into opening them a few days early : ) After all that was done and over with, they wanted to go sledding so off to "the Shepherd hill" they went! Since we had NO snow here and they had tons of snow there (20+ inches), they were itching to go. They had lots of fun on the hill and made plans to go the next day. --On the 27th the rest of the clan arrived (35 of them) and we had a wonderful meal. The meal was great it included; turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, rolls, salads, veggies, relish and fruit trays and lots of desserts, yummy! After the meal, we played several games with the little ones; musical chairs, mother may I and so on. This kept them busy until it was time to open presents. There were 17 little ones anxiously waiting to open gifts, so we put them in a circle and started handing out the gifts. They all "hit it big" and were truly blessed once again. All in all the day was fun and we were happy to be with our family!

The kids cozying up to Papa to see if he'd let them open their presents from him : )

Kallee got to go first and she received this...

...matching dresses for her and her baby doll!

The boys received another Webkinz which they loved! Papa sends us $$$ every year and tells us to shop for them, so of course he has no clue why they are so excited over "stuffed animals" : )

Keegan with his new squirrel -- Chuckie

Talon and his new hedgehog -- H2H (Hedge Hog has 2 H's in it,
so that is the reason for the H2H)

Kallee enjoying the sledding

Kallee eating a "snow sandwich" : )

Chow-time!

"Simon Says pat your head"

This game got a little emotional, most of the kids would cry when they got out, HA!

Baby Gracie --Joe & Jess' baby, she is so cute and such a good baby!

A few of the little ones getting ready to "tear into" their gifts!

Kallee and her cousin Shekinah

Keegan's cousin Colton had his name and he bought him this really cool Spider-Man robe and pjs set. Keegan was go excited about them when he opened them,
he wanted to go put them on right away : )

Uncle Stan bought Kallee the baby room for her Dora house!

Us ladies gearing up to play the ladies "stealing game"!

Since Talon is now over 10, he is no longer in with the little kids at gift time, so he participated in the "men's stealing game". He ended up with a really nice Colt's watch!

CJ & Kallee lookin' all pretty in their Christmas dresses!

There we several of us that were able to be with Dad for the commuion and candle light service on Sunday afternoon! Kallee was helping Sis. Newport prepare for the service, in this picture. God has truly blessed "Dad's church" with a wonderful pastor and pastor's wife, Don & Becky Newport!