Christmas and Family in Texas

**GUEST BLOGGER**

 ~ Eric Hendrickson ~ 

We left for Fort Worth on December 20th, which is my mom's birthday.  All of us (my family, Bret's family, Marc, and mom) went to eat at a restaurant that specialized in pizzas.  We had a few specialty pizzas and mom had a big hamburger.  I was impressed that she ate it all.

The next day my bros and I went to Top Golf while Stacee took the kids to the park.

Pictured above, left to right, Silas (5), Ayden (8 1/2), Sarah (10 1/2), Phoebe (8), and Kallin (4 1/2).

Later that day, we went to a different park near the house.  We played kick ball and basketball.  A few of the local boys joined in with us.

That evening we played Bean Boozled.  The gross jelly bean game.  I reluctantly played.  Thankfully I didn't get any nasty beans.  You will see below, by looking at their faces, that some did.

Sarah and Kallin were partners.  Andrea and Phoebe were partners.

Marc and I were partners.  Bret and Ayden were partners.

It is fun to watch people's reactions to the nasty beans.

Marc though he could be manly and eat a nasty one (it may have been spoiled milk).  He didn't finish it.

We also decorated gingerbread houses.  Messy!

and Yummy!  Some ate a lot of icing.

1-2-3-4 I declare a thumb war.

I made some shortbread cookies for the kids to decorate.

Silas and Ayden liked eating some dough.

Mom had a cookie press for us to use.  I helped the kids take turns using the press.

The kids also had fun playing with play-doh.  After dinner it was time to open presents.

The kids got a lot of fun things.  We bought mom her favorite perfume (at least I always remember it being her favorite), Chanel #5.

Wow, everyone is smiling and looking at the camera.  Nice picture of mom and all her grandchildren.

We thought it would be fun to re-create a picture from around 1997 (above).  I believe this was my first year of college.  We then posed to recreate a picture from around 1990.  I believe based on my hair that this was from 6th grade. 

We came home on Saturday so that I could teach Sunday school the following morning.  It was a short, but good trip.  It was nice seeing everybody.  Love you and have a happy new year.