The Saturday after Thanksgiving has traditionally become known as the "Zipf Christmas." This is the day where our family celebrates Christmas with Nathan's parents and with his brother and his family. This is also the day where traditionally Nathan picks SO MUCH about anything and everything (usually about the Christmas meal or what time it will be or whatnot) that he gets in trouble what seems like ALL DAY long and in turn I feel like I'm in trouble too. And, he picks SO MUCH that someone usually ends up crying or is in tears.
BUT, that is Nathan for ya! (It is in his genes, and he has learned the art of picking from the best - his Grandpa Brocious and his Uncle Randy - and feels he needs to use his talents! And, might I say, he does it VERY WELL!)
Before we can have Zipf Christmas though, part of the Zipf family still needed to arrive, which they did later in the afternoon on Friday. Ivy and Owen were super excited to get to see and play with their cousins - it had been a whole year since they had seen them last time! (AND, Nathan, Letty, and I were happy to get to see and spend time with them, too!) We weren't going to have much time to spend and visit with them so we tried to make the best of the time we did have.
We FINALLY got to meet our new nephew - Samuel James (or as we call him "Sam-I-Am"). Sam-I-Am was born exactly 1 month after Letty was born so he was almost 7 months old when we got to meet the little guy.
Don't you just love his Alfalfa hairdo? So cute! (I'm sure he won't think so when he gets older though!) :0)
Okay, now we're ready for Zipf Christmas!
First off, PLAYTIME!
On our walk over to the playground, Anna said the sweetest thing that just melted my heart. Anna said, "I'm so happy I'm finally here...I've been waiting a long time to see you!" So sweet!
JUST HANGING OUT WITH GRAMPA!
THEN, MORE PLAYTIME! (Crossfire, anyone?)
everyone vs. Daddy/Uncle Nathan
THEN, it was PLAYTIME! A popular item to play with was this microphone that Anna got for Christmas. It was so much fun seeing all of the kids organize and put on their performances. Alex started out being the announcer who introduced performances by the new Toby Mac (Anna Banana), a comedian (Josh), and singer Ivy. Later, Josh (a future preacher/evangelist) took over the emcee/announcer position and then started reading and "preaching" from his new Action Bible that he also got for Christmas. 
The next morning, we all got up and got ready to go to church. Before we left for church, a few of us enjoyed our very own church service put on by Josh, Ivy, Anna Banana, and Owen as our worship team and then Josh as our preacher. I must say, the song service was such a powerful thing that I know the Lord was pleased with this time of worship. (Sorry, my camera was upstairs and "church" was in the basement so no pictures were taken of this - I wish I had though!) 
After we got home from church, we ate pizza for lunch and then had to pack our van up to leave later in the afternoon. Before we left, the last Zipf Christmas tradition had to be fulfilled. A few years ago, Grampa and Gramma Zipf started a new tradition of hiding a little present for each of the kids to find. This year, they filled little baskets full of gifts and hid them for the kids to find. The kids LOVE searching for their hidden gifts, and we love watching!
Well, it was time to make the 12-hour trip home. Our visits NEVER seem to be long enough anywhere we go, but we certainly cherish and treasure the time that we do get to spend with our families. 
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