Ping pong, babies, Yoder Christmas

Merry Christmas Everyone!!  Our Christmas in VA was filled with lots of fun activities, games, great food, and visiting friends!  

Aaron and I were so excited to see Nate, Maggie and Phil!!  We passed around the Ba-hum-bug hat during the week to any deserving person :)

We were so thankful to get an evening to visit with our Risser family as well!  My lovely mother and Aunt Jewel planned a get-together while we were in town.  There were lots of baby snuggles and time to catch up with cousins!  Here are my uncles chatting and my brother and grandma.

Games!!  Maggie played Pandemic with some of the guys.

Here is my lovely grandma holding the littlest Risser grandchild (for right now)!  My cousins, Lena and Adam Weaver, had Ty about 2 1/2 months ago.  We met him for the first time on this trip.  He is precious :)

We also met another one of my cousin's baby for the first time, Levi Yutzy!  This is Aaron and Andrea Yutzy's first boy.  These two sweeties were born just weeks apart!

Levi has the sweetest smile and was so snuggly!  He is now 3 months old!

My parents got to hold the two sweetest babes!

Ping pong was another big hit during the week!  We played a lot of "Around the World" and doubles tournaments.

On Christmas Eve we opened stockings and each got matching PJ's!!  We wore them ALL day on Christmas!  Thanks mom!

So many wonderful presents!

KC Chiefs belt buckle for Aaron!

Okay, so I have to explain about the present my bro Phil gave to Aaron and I.  Phil drew this large, over-sized map and had us go on a treasure hunt outside for our gift.  He wrapped it in a cardboard box and put it in the ground in the backyard.  Aaron, being the sweet husband he is, got to dig the hole!  Oh, I didn't mention that it had rained the previous 2-3 days.  Do you know what happens to cardboard when it rains?  It crumbles.  Well anyways, the treasure Aaron found was COVERED in mud and had to be rinsed off!

It made for a good laugh :)  Thanks Phil!!

Another tradition we have on Christmas Day is we always have a noon meal for my grandparents and neighbor, Neil.  My mom and dad are always so generous and welcoming to others!

Neil is 92 and has been my parents neighbor for 26 years!  He is still going strong and has plenty of stories to share each time he stops by!

For one of the evening meals, Nate made fried oysters!!!  They were actually very good and were enjoyed by just about everyone at the table!  Thanks Nate!

Maggie taught Aaron and I our new favorite game, Carcasonne!  We like how we can play a game quickly and also it can be just 2 player!  Nate and Maggie also got us Dominion for Christmas!

Earlier in the week Aaron and I drove to Crozet, VA to visit one of my best college friends!!  Tamara and Daniel Martin have one of the cutest 1 year old's around!  Lucas was so sweet and played with us for awhile.  We miss living close to this family so much!!  

After such a wonderful Christmas break, we flew out on Friday morning back home to Kansas.  We were sad to leave, but are so thankful for a loving family and such a wonderful time together!  Love you all!

-Maria