We had quite the Christmas adventure this year, which led us through three states and to five different gatherings. Our first stop was El Dorado, Kansas on Christmas Eve. For the first time in years, the three Krause boys (my dad and uncles) and their wives were able to gather with my grandparents for Christmas. We felt a little bit like kids crashing the grown-up party since there were no other younguns around, but it was nice to see everyone.
After a beautiful dinner made by my aunt and uncle, we sang some Christmas carols and exchanged a few gifts. While Matt and I just sat and watched while the older generations opened their gifts from their draw-a-name exchange, we participated in the fun of the white elephant. Lots of laughter and fun was had!
On Christmas morning we got up early to make the drive to Bella Vista, Arkansas. Matt's immediate family stayed in a nice lake house so that we could have our own little Christmas before the big family gathering at Oma and Opa's.
On Christmas morning we got up early to make the drive to Bella Vista, Arkansas. Matt's immediate family stayed in a nice lake house so that we could have our own little Christmas before the big family gathering at Oma and Opa's.
At our little lake house.
Most of Matt's extended family was able to get together to celebrate, and we had quite a crowd.
The whole clan.The few days we spend in Bella Vista were full of lots of visiting, playing games, and eating tons and tons of delicious food.
Too soon, we were off to our next stop: Marshall, Arkansas. This portion of the trip was much more subdued, as it was mostly just sitting and chatting with my other grandparents (and a little time visiting my aunt and uncle).
Too soon, we were off to our next stop: Marshall, Arkansas. This portion of the trip was much more subdued, as it was mostly just sitting and chatting with my other grandparents (and a little time visiting my aunt and uncle).
With Granny and Grandpa.We felt so fortunate to be able to visit all of our 6 living grandparents over the course of a few days - and so fortunate to have these wonderful people in our lives.
But we had to continue onward - to fun times with good friends. We had a reunion in Ark City with our little group of Matt's best friends from high school and their wives. It was the first time in years that all of us were able to gather at the same time, plus we had the addition of Ruby (John and Anna's little one).
The night began with a giant box of beer:
But we had to continue onward - to fun times with good friends. We had a reunion in Ark City with our little group of Matt's best friends from high school and their wives. It was the first time in years that all of us were able to gather at the same time, plus we had the addition of Ruby (John and Anna's little one).
The night began with a giant box of beer:
Dac's mystery box of 24 different beers.And the night continued with hanging out, watching Birdemic (if you have Netflix, you should go waste 2 hours of you life on this movie), and generally acting ridiculous.
We love getting to see so many people in such a short time, but it's definitely exhausting. We were excited to head home to our own bed for a short time. Then we were off again for more Christmas craziness...
