A final gift

After returning home from Ohio, the kids had a few more things to enjoy...

 ... including tickets (for the guys) to the Belk Bowl.

Miles, especially, got pretty rowdy at the game!

The girls and I had a very pleasant afternoon gardening and playing Dutch Blitz -- and they are pretty thrilled with their new electric toothbrushes they received -- so I think we were all happy.  :)

Yep, everyone looks happy!

Christmas Joy

It was so fun to see all of the great expressions on the kids' faces this year!

Later on, some games provided more smiles....

.... until we realized that the Bowl Game apparently has a maximum number of participants, and when you exceed that number, as we must have, the game takes a turn towards tedium and frustration.

Still, the gang was all smiling again by the end of the trip.  Another wonderful holiday with the Frank Family!

Christmas Eve

After a nice full day of eating, talking, hiking, eating, talking, walking, and eating, we all gathered in the living room to share some thoughts and sing.

Pete shared some observations from the Bible...

.... and Mini-Pete shared some observations from his Magic Bible...

 ...Then we lit candles and sang some carols

 It was good to be with family on Christmas Eve!

Hiking in the Hocking Hills

Both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day found our large extended family out hiking in some beautiful locations.  Even though the temperature was in the 30's both days, even I had to admit that the sights made the treks worth it.

Christmas House in Ohio

This year the Frank family gathered once again in the Hocking Hills region of Ohio.... and I think we all agree that this was the BEST house!

All 26 of us fit very nicely and there was plenty of space for kids to throw balls and frisbees, kick balls, tackle, swim, run, yell and play games.... theoretically speaking, of course.  Our group just sat nicely on couches and looked at each other the whole time.  (yeah, right!)