Christmas with the Reigs

Christmas day was just too much to try to fit into one blog, so I have decided to split it up into Christmas with the Reigners (my side) and Christmas with the Crnkovich's (Renae's side). In year's past we have traveled to two or three locations all in different corners. The craziest year (and worst for how it caused Renae and I to have tension with one another) was a year that we went 45 minutes to my parents house, to drive 1hr 45 minutes to Renae's Aunt and Uncle's house, to drive another 1 hour and 45 minutes to Renae's parents house. All in all that day we spent over 4 hours in the car and went crazy! I blew up the night before because I was so stressed with rushing around, and feeling constricted to time and obligations that on Christmas Eve I had Renae pull over by over development and let me walk home.

Anyways...Christmas with the Reigner's. Tradition is key. We always start with the youngest and work out way up through the oldest. I believe 5 years ago we added Carol to the family (sister-in-law), then 4 years ago we added Renae (my wife..duh), last year we added Emmy (my niece) and this year we added Logan (seriously!?!?).

A quick outline...and then the pictures:

We usually get together around 9am.

Presents are separated and piled by who they are for.

The there is a light breakfast and fun snacks (with much desired fresh coffee! Thanks Eric)

Hugs and stories are shared.

Then it's on to probably 2 hours or so of opening gifts and sharing stories about the gifts.

There is usually snacking going on during that time (and more coffee refills)

Followed by people playing or tinkering with things that they received. 

OK, now the pictures...with the captions:

The Reigner Cousins first Christmas together with Aunt Megan and Uncle Eric.

Ahhhhh...Carol's freshly baked Pull Apart / Monkey Bread

Mom-Mom's famous "Christmas Breakfast" casserole.

Logan was held captive by the family under the mistletoe and given the Reigner 1-2-3 Kiss Attack

I'll admit, no one really wants to see their parents get mushy...but this is a cute picture. LOL I helped my dad out by taking numerous pictures and asking them to hold on for a few moments.

Logan was eyeing up Aunt Carol to make sure that she was putting the gifts in the right places.

Logan opening up his first ever Christmas present!

He knew exactly what to do, the Sippy cups from Aunt Megan went straight to his mouth!

Logan's method of opening the gifts was to eat the wrapping paper...it kinda worked, but was also very time consuming.

Renae got a lovely new necklace from Aunt Carol!

Mom-Mom got a hand made warmer from Renae...I want one for my shoulders now :)

Mom and Dad each received numerous Sear's gift cards so that they can update some of their kitchen appliances!

Aunt Megan read one of Logan's books to him...WE ARE! I am almost certain that he will be a PSU student 18 years from now!

Welp, sometimes the gifts just get the best of you :)

Who knows their sons better than their fathers? Eric and I each received one...I hope for Renae and Carol that they actually work.

Uncle Eric received his new "toy"...I'm sure he will find a project to use it on soon enough.

I have to pause and make a comment here. Every year my dad takes charge of the clean up and he does an awesome job. I cannot remember a Christmas when we didn't ball up our wrapping paper/trash and toss it to him basketball style hoping to make nothing but net...thank you for your years of dedication and service!

This was one of Logan's favorite gifts of the day. Hie reaction was priceless. After almost getting lost in the gift bag that this monkey pillow came in, he pulled it out and just began smiling, laughing, jumping and hugging on the monkey. He then went even more crazy when I tried to velcro it around his waist so that it was permanently hugging him.

All in all Christmas was yet again amazing.! I am a creature of habit and thrive on tradition. I do not know what I would do without the traditional Reigner Christmas morning. There are many things that I would give up through the year, but seeing my family on Christmas morning is one of those things that I wish to keep and want to protect. I love you guys and want to thank you for creating such an awesome and memorable for family Christmas with Logan.