Chinese Christmas?

Today we gathered up with Brad's almost entire family on his mom's side. After church, we meet up at the Country Club for brunch, courtesy of Muna, the 93 yr old matriarch of the family. She saves for this all year and we are all so privileged for her to provide us with this nice luncheon. She does it every year. Could you imagine paying for 40+ people's lunch? Yikes. Needless to say, she enjoys doing it each year for everyone and we enjoy eating it. Thanks Muna!

Throughout the last month or so, I had been organizing a special gift for Muna. I bought a special little chest and prepared notecards for each family member to fill out for Muna. Each person (young and old) got two cards - one that says, "thank you for...." and "what I love about you is....". The ones too little to write had their parents write for them. Anyway, the cards were collected and placed in the chest with a special poem attached as an explanation for Muna. We, as a family, presented the box to her at the brunch. I hope she enjoys reading all the cards in her spare time. It was a lot of work, but for a very worthy cause. :)

Then after brunch and after changing clothes, we meet up again for the Chinese Christmas gift exchange. I'm not sure why it's called Chinese Christmas? I even tried to look up the origin before blogging about it to no avail. The only thing I know for sure is the 'custom' did not originate in China. Anyway, so you've probably heard of it before - everyone brings a $30(ish) gift, you draw numbers, when you get to your number you can "go to the tree" and unwrap a new gift or steal someone else's previously opened gift. Obviously, the last number is the one you want, right? And then there are some other 'rules' going along with it, but that's the gist. Each year we do this, it seems to take the whole afternoon. There are just so many of us. And so many steals. And so much strategy. Really, these people get serious about it, finding the gift everyone wants for a chance to be the last one standing with the gift they want. Waaaaay too in depth for me. But it's always LOUD and fun and rowdy. This year I walked away with some cool under-the-cabinet lights that are motion-activated, no wires, etc. Really cool! And Brad walked away with a silver serving tray and liqour filled chocolates. He wasn't too impressed. He taught his niece too much about strategizing that he lost out on his iTunes gift cards. :-P

Then after the Chinese Christmas, we all sit around visiting, eating some more, etc etc etc....

In the midst of all this, Brooke got to play with all her cousins and some she doesn't see too often. Brenna got to meet a cousin younger than her! And we got to see family members we don't get to see too often. It was great fun, but we are all exhausted tonight. Brooke and Brenna went to bed at 7:00 if that tells you anything!

Here's some pics....