Christmas in Ney- Henry.

On Christmas Eve, we packed up and left Cleveland for Grandma and Grandpa Seibert's house in Ney.

Mama requested a Christmas Eve like they always had when she, Aunt Jenni, and Uncle Kevin were little. So instead of a meal, we got an evening of appetizers like a shrimp ring, a cheese ball, and mama's favorite- summer sausage, cheddar cheese and sweet pickles on a toothpick.

The next tradition was watching the 1983 made for TV Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton Christmas Special. June spent the entire special dancing. And though Henry declared it a "girl movie," ha sang along to most songs and pronounced Dolly to be very pretty after every costume (and wig) change. It's also worth noting that both kids know all of the words to the songs and June is constantly demanding her 4 favorite songs:

"Bells On" - I'll be Home with Bells on.

"Christmas Out-choo"- Christmas Without You.

"Christmas 'Member" -Christmas to Remember.

"Santa Fwause"- I Believe in Santa Claus.

Nothing warms a parent's heart like hearing your kids sing about finding love at Christmas.

We had a great Christmas! On Christmas Eve, I wrote a note to Santa and we left out cookies by the fireplace. I was sure to leave the big iron doors open so Santa could get down the chimney. When we went to bed we even heard Great Grandpa Wagner's (I mean, Santa's) sleigh bells outside the window.

Junie liked the horsie stick I picked out for her and bought with my own money.

And Georgie liked the hat I bought her, though it turned out to be a little small. (I also picked out a pack of toothbrushes for papa.)

I'm so glad Santa knew where we were staying!

Juner was extra excited about the Dora dress mama made her.

(Flashback two weeks: Mama let me help her make the dress for Junie, but that required actually trying on the dress. How embarrassing.)

We got a Zhu Zhu pet that wasn't quite working. Grandpa impressed everyone when he used my circuit kit to test the little hamster and eventually fix it. Wow!

We spent Christmas Day quietly, playing with Grandma's toys, including this peg set that was mama's favorite when she was little.

Georgie tried to eat her present when we put her under the Christmas tree.

We didn't see much of Georgie as she got the undivided attention of Grandma and Grandpa.


That Grandpa is pretty funny!