Christmas with the Mangini's

We visited Dad and Rose in Stockton on Sunday for a family get together. We arrived around 3pm with the kids and presents in tow and were delighted to see Rose had decorated her house so cute. There was a beautifully arranged front porch with fresh wreaths on the door, a huge decorated tree, and many animated, singing creatures! My Grandma June and Cousin Bev would have loved it. The best animated creature of all was a life sized Santa Claus that they bought for $50 at an after-Christmas sale. When we walked in the door Santa started talking to Alex and Samantha! Alex's eyes lit up when Santa told him he heard he had been naughty and broke his curtain rod! Grandpa Gini had fun with the remote in the other room. Santa gave Neil the creeps and he had nightmares. I heard him talking in his sleep last night saying, "Drop the presents Santa or I'll shoot!" (Just kidding). We did a white elephant gift exchange and I think the funniest gift was a jar of pickles and a glass pickle ornament. Alex kept ending up with "girl" gifts but was a good sport. It was a very cozy gathering and I enjoyed visiting with Rose's kids, Andrea and Rose, Jr.
(Samantha and Alex with Rose, Jr.)

(Alex with Rose, Jr. and Rose's grandaughter Haley)