Jacob is learning to be a Michigan fan with his football and Wolverine t-shirt. Maybe Stephen needs a Longhorn shirt for his birthday to call it even! 

What did you get Lacey??? 

One of Brynne's gifts was a beloved Starbucks gift card! 

The cousins did their Christmas gift exchanges. But not until we tried to get a group photo! 

We enjoyed lots of outdoor time! It was a very mild Thanksgiving for Michigan. That made the Texas folks pretty darn happy! 

Besides eating we had various recitals at Gram Burkard's piano. 

The girl cousins...

Hannah (Suzanne and Scott)
Brynne and Lacey (Gregg & Elizabeth)
Little Lauren (Debbie and Brian) 

The boy cousins...

Matthew (Deb and Brian)
Andrew and Stephen (Suzanne and Scott)
Jacob (Gregg and Elizabeth) 

The three sisters -
Debbie (North Carolina)
Suzanne (Hostess in Michigan)
Elizabeth (Texas) 

The three husbands -
Brian (Debbie's husband)
Gregg (Elizabeth's husband, ha!)
Scott (Suzanne's husband) 

For maybe the 2nd time ever the Mattson family went somewhere else to celebrate Thanksgiving. About a month ago we asked to join Debbie's family at Suzanne's home in Michigan. It was a quick trip up one day and home the next, but a very good one. Here Jacob, Stephen, Matthew and Lauren get ready to "gobble" down some turkey. 

Jacob has rolled over to his next sport...basketball! He is really excited that his dad is coaching his team. Make that teams. Gregg has two going...one for the end of the fall season and another for the winter season. Watch for some action shots from coaching/playing. 

Sometimes there are situations that utterly amaze you... If you know my mom you know that she is not a fan of car rides. We laugh with her at her avoidance of left turns, inclement weather, high speed, darkness etc. Imagine my surprise when she suggested Brynne drive them to an afternoon movie. MiMi was the picture of relaxation as they backed out of the drive to see Flicka. Upon her return she remarked it is so much easier to drive with your grandchildren.






Unfortunately, we did not get any other photos with the kids. As much as I hate being the poser and not the taker I was on a mission to have at least two photos from the visit. Complaints galore about our choices to post...but here goes...