Christmas gathering at the farm

Most of my family was waiting for us when we arrived at the farm January 1st. The boys got to open presents from most of my family that evening. The boys got sleds, games, drawing toys; Abe got a Bumbo and caterpillar toy. Mike and I received money for groceries as well as a fan and clothes from Cambodia. Then when my oldest sister and her family arrived the 8th we finished exchanging gifts. Holly and Whitney gave the rest of us a home spa day, I gave the girls each a necklace from an Esty store, and then after some more gift giving we were going to exchange our presents. Normally we pick names at Thanksgiving and then buy a present for just that one sibling rather than for all 8 of us. So Mike gave his to Will, Will to me (it said it wasn’t here yet) then me to Whitney, then Whitney to Mike (another it hasn’t arrived yet). Then Holly says oh –no one of us must have made a mistake because I had Carrie too…but box revealed my present wasn’t here yet, Laura gave the same message to Mike and Kristi and Joe as well (I’m finally suspecting something is up). Then we receive clues and go on a long (but fun) scavenger hunt through the house till we finally open a note that says everyone decided to pitch in this year and give Mike and I “tickets” to New Zealand for our survey trip. WHOO HOO! How exciting and unbelievable. I’ve been praying for these but not believing it would happen this soon. We are not taking the boys but my parents have volunteered to watch them. We went this week to the court house and applied for our passports, we are hoping to maybe go in March – but still need to see what is best for the missionaries we will be staying with. We have been having fun together as a family – with all of us here! We have been sledding and playing games but Sunday Holly left to go back to Cameroon and today my oldest sister and her family returned home. Laura will be taking off tomorrow. I love my family!