When there are 19 family members representing multiple families, it takes planning and large amounts of flexibility to schedule any gathering, much less Christmas. Somehow the week before Christmas worked for everyone. Amanda (our oldest daughter) and Frank have the largest house with the most bedrooms so they win (or lose) by default as hosts again this year.

There was no bike riding this year due to cold weather, and though school was out, there were scheduled basketball games for Tyler and Madeline.

The grandkids range in age from 1 to 14. Beth and I plan a fun way to give them gifts such as via a scavenger hunt combined with Let’s Make a Deal. This year the youngest kids played Duck Duck Goose to get their gifts. The older kids had to solve a math problem adding, subtracting, and multiplying different family members ages (not provided to them) and then decide between a wrapped gift or a money envelope with unknown dollars.

Adults had a white elephant gift game with the theme of Great Adventure. A great time was had by all and the younger adults finished the evening in and around the hot tub.

It is really a blessing that we all want to and could arrange to get together!