We hit the Jackpot with Christmas and New Years in Minco

We left the day after Christmas from Tyler and headed to Minco, OK to spend New Years with them. I was so excited, because I would get to see my new nephew for the first time!

We arrived kind of late that evening so we opened presents with my mom, brothers, and my brother Brett's girlfriend Kayla the next morning. We were able to see my dad for a few minutes before he headed north to go back to work and see my Grandpa Whalen for his birthday.

Awesome sign my brother's girlfriend Kayla made Paul and I

Dasher excited about his present from my mom. He loves her presents.

Poor ducks...good thing it was a 3 pack. This goose quickly lost it's head.

Steven with his stocking full of fishing gear from us.

Mark with his stocking

Brett with his stocking

Nick with his stocking

Paul and I got a canopy for the beach

Paul got a blue crab cutting board in honor of the blue crabs he caught on a fishing trip here in Galveston with my family. Nick was taking credit for all presents and had to be in the pictures too.

New OSU calendar

Monogrammed lazy susan

My mom's scentsy and earrings from Paul, me and my brothers. Nick claimed he picked them out.

 After opening presents the boys took off to "try out their fishing gear" and if no fish were biting shoot guns down on the river. Whenever we go to Minco I lose my husband. He just falls in line with my brothers and it's like I now have 6 brothers to deal with instead of 5.  Oh well, that usually gives me time to hang out with my mom.

Brett and Steven with Nick in the background

My little brothers. Nick, Brett, Steven and Mark. After this trip they were so proud of their photography skills.

Paul, Brett and Steven

action shot

Paul

The 29th was my Grandpa Kirkegard's 82nd birthday. I feel very blessed to still have 3 living grandparents. My Grandpa is still very healthy and active at 82. I was glad we were there to celebrate his birthday with him.

28? wait a second...

82...that's better.

The next evening my older brother finally arrived with my new nephew Trevor.  I couldn't wait to hold him.  My Aunty Vicki and cousin Brian also stopped by for the evening, and it was good to see them. The next day my immediate family all went to my youngest brother's basketball scrimmage. It will be the only basketball game I get to see this year. I am very sad it didn't work out for me to get to watch him play a real game his senior year, but I had fun at the scrimmage watching him and hanging out with my niece Addelynn. After the scrimmage, we went back to my grandma's for lunch and to open presents with my brother and grandparents. My cousin Chad and his family came over too.

Me and Trevor

Addelynn playing with my grandma's Christmas villiage

Steven is number 3

Addelynn running through the aisles

enjoying a juice with Aunt Liz

Tyler and Trevor enjoying the game

He slept through it all

playing fruit ninja

dressing Addelynn  up as a princess on the iPhone

Me and Trevor again

Tyler with a picture of Boone Picken's Stadium

Tyler got to rush the field on Bedlam and my mom and I made him a momento

Addy with her Barbie

Matching shirts

Kourtney with her noel sign I made

this girl loves tutus

the lighthouse I found at a craft fair here in Houston for my grandma

playing hands down with Tyler, Steven and Nick

Little Trevor

singing "I want a Hippopotamus for Christmas"

Now that Steven is 18, we went to a few casinos over the break for something to do out of the house. Gambling really can be fun if you exercise self control, and monitor your spending. Anyway, over the break we went to the Riverwind Casino in Norman, OK near Minco. I had never been before and it was very large. We were there for what seemed like forever, but Paul and I together managed to win $500! We didn't even spend any of our own money either because we used some of our winnings from another casino where we got $10 free play. I can see how people can get into real trouble if they do not have any self control, and I in no way recommend going to a casino and expecting to win lots of money. We have been a few times and only won this one time, and I don't suspect we would win again. Anyway, needless to say we had a good time and now have enough money for a plane ticket to come back to Minco for my little brother's graduations in May.

Paul's lucky machine

In front of the pretty Christmas tree

He hit the jackpot

with our winnings.

Of course we spent a lot of other time playing games at home. My little brother Brett finally got Sorry Sliders after pestering everyone, especially Steven, about playing it for the past few years. I love that both Paul and my family love to play games. We even rang in the New Year with all my brothers, two of their girlfriends (Mallory and Kayla), sister-in-law, niece and nephews, mom and grandparents playing games, eating and hanging out.

Sorry Sliders

Pac Man Party on the Wii.  I am so glad my mom bought a Wii.

They are serious people.

Playing Ticket to Ride on New Years. We also played Battle of the Sexes. I am so happy we can actually play that game now.

Once again I feel so blessed that Paul and I have the time off around holidays to spend with family and not have to worry about missing work right now. We had a great Christmas break and look forward to spending it with family again next year.