our holiday from work

We have been blessed with an abundance of family love this season. Starting Dec. 17th and through today, we have celebrated christmas many times over, each gathering has its fond memories. Mostly this year on nic's side, the family shifted present focus to littler kiddos. We had an exciting gift-opening time with nieces and nephews. It was a joy to see the their excitements when opening a dust buster to "un-dust" the house, their very own gift cards, book sets, bean bag chairs, "this reminded me of you gifts", and fashion forward attire. The energy in that house just kept building. 

We then moved to food and extended family gatherings. Santa visited us at Grammy's (extended Kline) gathering, kids were crying in confusion and Santa lost weight this year evidenced by his trouser malfunction (thanks uncle Chuck!). Stringers gathered around more food. Singers gathered around a delicious taco bar and XBox Kinnect. The present Bob Kline clan consumed desserts, coffee, hot chocolate, and well dressed sugar cookies. In all, we grabbed quick moments with all too often unseen family members. I failed to take photos, I know lots were taken. If you are reading this and you have them, send them, or else...

In between social gatherings we took down our Christmas decor a little early, stripped popcorn plaster off our living room/dining room ceiling, painted our baseboards white, and painted the walls a lovely "Missouri Bluffs" color from Nell Hills all while jamming out to Super Bass by Nicki Manaj. Boom daboom boom boom daboom baby...great song. Highly recommend it when painting. Here is the current state of our abode.

We are so close to being done, one more living room coat, a few touch ups, add crown molding, and move back in. We worked hard during the day and were thankful for the social gatherings to give our bodies a break.

We also got precious moments with dear friends who were in town for Christmas. We spent the morning catching up over coffee and then talked the night away over dinner and dessert. Glad we took a breath to capture a photo memory. Miss you guys.

The abridged version of our 2011 Christmas in Kansas City: 6 family Christmas gatherings down and one more to go, Neosho loves to eat paint, Nic learned how to dress classier from the above parties, and taking your own family photo can be stressful. 

More Christmas cheer this weekend with the Powell family!