Spann Family Christmas

Whenever the Spann's get together you can bet there's going to be a LOT of gut splitting laughter.  In fact, we have a saying around The Drayer, "it's time for some Spann family laughter".  There's just something about being around people who share your history and your sense of humor and your appreciation for the years and years of inside jokes that just make me want to hunker in and wish for a big ol' snow storm so no one could leave and we would all have to spend a few days together.  We would laugh and tease and cry and eat [well, we're Southern!  Of course we would eat.  Bacon.  Well, bacon and biscuits.  Oh, and chocolate gravy.  Yes, always chocolate gravy.]  Anywho, I miss the days when we would all pile in to my Grandma and Poppy's house, take up every single sleeping space  [including the motor home beds] and just BE.  Together.

Time and life and death and jobs and growing up and great grandkids and for a handful of other reasons we aren't able to do that any more.  But for the one night a year when we get together to celebrate Christmas……MAN, it makes me happy.

And this year we had much to celebrate.  Good health….Aunt Mar celebrates 5 years of being cancer free this year.  An Ohio Assistant Principal of the Year Award…my cousin Jaime just put this one under her belt.  YOU GO GIRL!!!

One of the highlights this year was giving my Grama [that's how she's always spelled it] a photo book of her family.  It was a precious moment.  She's such a beautiful woman.  And if you look closely, you'll see the little rebel inside in those eyes of hers.

Without further adieu, here's the annual video.

Spann Family Christmas 2013

The Annual Santa Claus pic

Pretty sure my oldest sister, Julie was being a good sport and playing along. Amy and I?  Well, we BELIEVED!!!!  I mean look at this ex-convict, ahem, I mean Santa. He's real, right?  Seriously, what happened to smiling eyes Santa?

I'm guessing I'm 5 or 6 in this picture, which makes Julie 12. Bless her good natured heart!

We've Lost all control, people!

So Teddy?  Yeah, well....much like a 5 year old when he discovers he can get into the cabinet and reach the Oreos....that is Ted.

Check it out. We've been out of treats for two days. He doesn't believe me. This is his third time to check. Hoping against hope that they're behind the soap. 

Oh Teddy.