Thanksmas

 The entire Schrag family gathered for Thanksmas today.  Josh and Sara arrived last night to complete the gathering.  And, due to different schedules and available vacation time, this was the only 24 hours that we'll all be together this holiday season.  Sadly, it's been a year since we'd seen Sara and more yet since we'd seen Josh.

 Today was our Christmas!  We had a great time opening gifts.

 Levi was thrilled with his book of animal stickers (and all the other stuff he got)

 and Noah was thrilled with his football tee - although his expression in this photo doesn't show it.

 He tried it out right away and later he used it outside.

 Both boys got Chicago Bears hooded sweatshirts, John Deere jammies and socks, DVD's, a Nerf football and more.

 I walked around today taking some random photos to capture some of the other things we've been doing while we've been here.  The Wii has proven to be an excellent source of entertainment.  Noah and Levi mastered bowling and golfing and even got the rest of us in on the action.

 Sue introduced me to her homemade powder laundry detergent.  It's simple - 1 bar of Fels-Naptha soap, 1 c. Borax and 1 c. Washing Soda.  You grate the Fels-Naptha and then mix it all together.  It works great in her High Efficiency washer and she only uses 1 Tbsp. per load.  I think it sounds like a much more ecological and economical way to do laundry.

 We have eaten enormous amounts of delicious food.  We've had fabulous soup, bread, rice & beans, ham, potatoes, pie and more.  Sue outdid herself with providing us with wonderful food, hot chocolate and peppermint tea.

 Levi was so thrilled with his new jammies that he wore them all day.  He had a purple upper lip from the grape juice he drank all day and twice today I found him watching a DVD that he had gotten out and ready by himself.  How does he know how to do this?

We had a wonderful Christmas celebration with the entire family.  We completed 2 3/4 puzzles, colored pictures, played hide-and-seek and football, watched movies, took naps and laughed a lot.