For Pappa Blaxton

Recently there have been complaints about a lack of blog posts.  So, to pacify my father, here's what we've been doing the last month or so...and why we haven't had time to post.

First was the installation of our first Christmas tree.  Thanks to Chris' cousin, Justin, we had a color pre-lit tree that was just the right size for our apartment.  And thanks to Mamma L and Mamma B we had enough donated ornaments to cover it :)

The end of my semester was frantic as always.  Even though I only had one class, the work that I put off was enough to make me hate finals week as much as if I was taking a full load.  BUT! I ended up with an A-

The weekend before Christmas we had two parties.  First was a get together with our friends, hosted by the wonderful Straathofs.  The next day, Chris B and Sabine hosted the Blaxton party.  We met the newest member of the family, baby Cameron, and got to see almost all the family for a great day of food and drinks (plus the Lions won).

Chris had to work through the 23rd so I went on to Shepherd early on the 22nd.  On the way I made a detour to my Emily's house.  She had just arrived home from her semester in Rome and we hadn't seen each other since August - well, we hadn't seen each other in person...Skype doesn't count.  It was so great to see her.  I missed her so much.

We had a full house again in Shepherd - Mom, Dad, Aunt Chelie, Stephen, Tim, Chris, and myself.  Grandpa Blaxton came on Christmas eve and we got to Skype with Philip, Julia and the boys.  It was a much needed break from the hustle and bustle of life.  We played games...

we exchanged gifts...

ate lot of delicious food, thanks to the resident chef...

and had a generally relaxing time...when we weren't chasing the squirrels away from the bird feeders.  Eventually, Dad gave up and started naming them (the squirrels).  Stephen, in all of his mental-health-wisdom, commented that Dad has provided for his family for just under 30 years and now that we're all growing up he has to turn his efforts elsewhere, so the little critters of the neighborhood are well fed and loved by Dad.  Tim wasn't so kind...

Anyway, the day after Christmas we traveled to Bay City for the Leikert family party and then the same night to Traverse City for the Schultz family "Christmas house" on Spider Lake.  

As always, we had a ton of fun with all the aunts, uncles, and cousins.  This year was a down year in terms of numbers - we ONLY had 33 people in attendance.  I know, it sounds silly that 33 family members in one house (well, mansion really) for 4 days is a small number, but we had fun nonetheless.  Here are a few photos from our stay. 

Ok, that's enough.  Enjoy for now. You're welcome Daddy!