on December 13th... (and Happy Birthday to you, Grandma Hartung!!)

...we got together at Jeanine's for the annual Christmas Buffet with my family--well, those that are able to make it, which usually means those of us that live in the state. as usual, we over-stuffed ourselves with yummy finger foods. this year, i particularly grubbed on the Mexican dip/tortilla chips and the breadsticks/cheese fondue. i also had two servings of my mom's frozen salad dessert; YUM. (and then i'm shocked when i step on the scale after over 3 months of not...why??!?) after eating, the kids wanted to put on a 'talent' show of a quirky sort; at least a couple of them always want to perform at these family functions! then Eileen played director to acting out the bible Christmas story. though we grew up doing this, it was the first time that we'd done it at the buffet. (at least since i moved back 3 years ago.) i guess Eileen's family acts it out every year; they had quite the stash of props. though Ethan was initially hesitant--he said he'd only be a sheep--he joined right in. and Autumn wasn't so sure, but she got excited when she realized dressing up was involved and saw all her cousins doing it. (well, Josh didn't; he's 14, too cool and was too busy texting.) :) anyway, it was a comical affair--isn't it an unwritten rule that this activity has to be??--and the kids had a good time.


Ethan was a wise man and Autumn was a shepherd; i like her turquoise "robe"... :) oh, Eileen might like you to know that she's had that lamb since was little...

Brandon was the other shepherd...that's Jeanine's headband on her towel for his headdress and his staff is the yellow swim noodle on the floor... :) Krista was Mary. think i'd be making a funny face like that too if i'd just had a baby in a stable. :)

this was Autumn being "sore afraid"...it's too bad i barely missed her previous expression; it was PERFECT...crouched down, trembling just a tad, and hand over her mouth... Wade is in background playing narrator.

Devin and Ethan were the two wise man...Josh, you were needed for #3! ...They're looking at the new star. :)

Devin and Ethan presenting their gifts to baby Jesus. That's Tyler's 'band-aid-ed' finger on the right; he was Joseph...