Pre-Christmas Celebration

**I actually have a good excuse for this post being so late. Since my dear sister-in-law, Colton, was such an avid picture taker, I had to wait on her to send me all her goods. And boy did she! I got LOTS of pictures but for your sake, I'll only show you a few.**

We were miraculously able to get the Bell side of the family together for the weekend before Christmas. It was chaotic but a blast and we were so glad we could pre-celebrate the holidays with each other. It's always so fun when we can all get together. Needless to say, I think my Mooma was in heaven!

Friday: Most of us were able to make it to celebrate Natalie's birthday at Texas Roadhouse. Thank heavens uncle Quentin was smart enough to call ahead so we could fight our way through the huge crowd blocking the entrance. It was crazy busy but the food and company was still worth it.

Saturday: Mooma Bell (aka Grandma Bell) was gracious enough to take everyone out to breakfast for their previous year birthdays. (Can you tell that we enjoy eating in my family? ;-). We mixed it up a bit this year and decided to eat at Hemingway's in Bass Pro, instead of our usual Shoney's. It was definitely a nice change. The food was better (and cheaper!), the ambiance was better, and the boys and kids LOVED being able to shop/play in Bass Pro after they ate.

Then we all ran our errands and laid around relaxing for most of the day. The boys shot their guns and worked on John's truck, the girls gabbed, and the kids played. It was nice to get so much done with so little effort. That evening we held our annual present exchange. The cousins all loved exchanging with each other and also enjoyed Grandma Bell's gift. And afterwards the adults got to enjoy some fun of their own by playing "Dirty Santa" and stealing each other's gifts. Apparently my family is just too nice or maybe we can't follow rules but hardly anyone stole each other's gifts. Leave it to Kyle to break the trend and steal my own Mother's beloved gift!! ;-)

Sunday: We went to church and came home to dine on our delicious Christmas dinner. Before long we were all headed home in our different directions. Can't wait until we can do it again!

Kayley, Ashlyn, and Addison cheesing. The bigger girls were SO good with taking care of (spoiling) Addison with attention and being at her every beck and call.

Me, Garrett, Kayley, Cora, Preston & Ashlyn cheesing it up after our delicious breakfast at Bass Pro. Can you tell these cousins love and adore each other?

The boys shooting guns. John took the liberty of modeling his manly pink earmuffs for Cassie.

John, Alexa, Cassie, Me, and Natalie (and Brady) modeling while we gorged on our Christmas dinner.