The Meister Christmas Party

What a long day yesterday was. The day started by our walk, then down to the shop where the copy machine was turned on. While that was warming up a quick trip to the post office to return the driving rein, then back to load 2 boxes of copy paper and 3 boxes of labels from the upstairs office into the warehouse office. By noon I had to quit to run to Sams to order and pay for the pizza. Back to the farm to watch Karin, Rhoda and Steven work the four Friesian mares. We heard Ben, Taunya, Addyson & Jack were coming over before the Meister party and the apartment was a mess. Quickly the 3 trainers came in to help. Steven grabbed the mop to get some of the muddy dog prints off of the floor. Karin grabbed the vacuum cleaner to start removing dog hair and Rhoda started washing off the counters & tables while I did dishes and made the bed. What wonderful help! I had to leave the place at 4:30pm to run back to Sams for the pizza and head out to the Old School Center where the Meister clan was gathering with dinner at 6:00pm. I barely made it in time, the Peoria traffic was awful. The video camera was taken out but first wasn't taping, then ran out of batteries. At least some of the performances along with the Christmas story was able to be downloaded.

What is really neat about this party is the kids would rather be up on stage performing then even getting their presents. Once that camera died, the other was brought out quickly for some shots.
The kids were allowed to go into the dining room while the adults got their presents.
There is such an abundance of girls in this family. Beth had them all working on decorations.

Below is Karin getting one of her many duct tape presents. She got a duct taped hat, coat, purse, and many other duct taped items along with rolls of duct tape.





Above mom is checking out the beautiful blanket John & Beth gave mom. The blanket has pictures of all the family on it. Below is mom opening up the gifts her loving family gave her.

Mom will be 80 years old March 30th and we thought these gifts would be perfect for her. She received 3 leaf rakes, one garden rake, a shovel and weed whacker.

I think mom is ready to go into the landscaping business. We needed something to wear out her unending energy.
After the gifts were all distributed the older kids went downstairs to play volleyball. The adults started the clean-up. Mom, Nancy, Mark and I were some of the first to leave. We were exhausted and as soon as we got home went straight to bed.
And now for a very boring but I think adorable video of Baby Braelyn Bravely crawling between the jaws of 2 giant dogs: