Visitors from the West

This year, we hosted the Selfs at our house.  Sara and Adam hadn't seen our house, and it seemed like the best time for everyone to get together.  Hosting nine people for a holiday?  I have to admit, I was a bit worried, but it all went really well!

Jake and Beth came Friday night and watched several movies with us.  Beth had never seen National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, so it was really fun watching her experience it for the first time.

The Cartwrights arrived shortly after breakfast on Saturday, followed by the Benny and Jody a few hours later.  Lunch consisted of whatever goodies people wanted (cookies, peanut butter balls, truffles, chipotle peanuts, and jalapeño poppers), while Jason and I prepared dinner.

Dinner consisted of ham, sweet potato casserole (thanks to Jody), roasted veggies, and smoked cheddar biscuits (thanks to Jason).  Dessert was either more goodies or Jody's pumpkin pie.

After dinner, the guys went in the backyard and played cornhole.  Sawyer and I joined them outside to play in the crunchy leaves.

Then, it was presents time!

After presents, we watched "Dark Knight Rises" (an early Christmas present from me to Jason), and everyone but the parents headed back west.  But not before some excitement...

Back when Kara came over to help me decorate, she noticed some birds had taken nest in the wreath on the front door.  When Jake and Beth were leaving, Jake noticed the same thing... but not before the bird flew into our house!

Luckily, we got the little guy back outside safely, thanks to Jason and Adam's calm thinking in the midst of the chaos.

Sunday, Benny, Jody, Jason, and I went to church and then they headed back west as well.  Jason and I relaxed the rest of the day.  All in all, I'd say it was a pretty successful holiday!