Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Our Last Laughs With Him

This year, the Hicks' once again gathered for our Christmas celebration at Lesia & Rick's beautiful & cozy mountain retreat.
This years Christmas tree didn't disappoint  :)
It's not a Hicks' get-together without GOBS OF FOOD!
Amy's dessert won the vote for best Potluck dish.
Hudson was his sweet & friendly self and enjoyed all the cuddles at his 1st Christmas with the Hicks'.
These times spent together are fun for the young-ins too.
The younger ones aren't always the best at understanding the concept of 'Dirty Santa' so they get to open their presents before the games begin.  ;)
Once the numbers were drawn & the rules argued over decided, it was time to get 'DIRTY".
Andrew always buys something he actually wants, and tries to get home with it.  His touchscreen gloves were a big hit and of course caused the first controversy.  hahaha  It's always the same fight -- Is it dead after 3 steals OR after it's in the 3rd persons hands??  Luckily just about everyone in the room could pull up & read the actual rules on their phones, to figure out just how often we were allowed to be dirty.
'DIRTY' bunch of Hicks
Looks like someone is being 'DIRTY'
Another STEAL -- in my favor  :)   Thanks Amy
Time for Christmas PJs -- what a little cutie booty!
And yes we attempted a family picture . . . LOL
What's the best way to wrap up a wonderful evening??  
Well if you're with this family its -- cartoons.  :)  Usually Looney Tunes or in this case, Sponge Bob SquarePants. 
This sweet baby was just too tired for even the funniest cartoon.
And because I'm writing this 4 months later . . . I have the full understanding of how precious this Christmas get-together truly was.  This would be our last with our sweet sweet Papaw.  I am so blessed to have had the opportunity to enjoy growing up with him in my life for the past 29 years.  He was a true *light* in our family that brought each of us so much joy & gave us so much love.
I never got a picture of just Papaw & Hudson together. . . but the smile on his face says it all.  He loved & thoroughly enjoyed his family.  And his love was felt from the littlest to the biggest, and will always be remembered in his precious smile.
And it's his smile, his laughter, his joy, and his love for each one of us that will be treasured in our hearts forever. . .   Love you Papaw

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
Romans 15:13

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