2009 Cousin Gift Exchange!

Christmas is coming pretty soon, and we are excited for another round of gift-giving! Listed below is the who's who (or rather, who has who) of the 2009 exchange. I hope all of you have a great Thanksgiving, and I'm excited to hear your responses to the questions that were sent out!

Cara has Lisa

Riva has Katie

Janelle has Cheryl

Julie has Cara

Lisa has Riva

Katie has Janelle

Cheryl has Julie

Semi-Reunion

At little Lynnea's Birthday Party, four of us got to see each other (Cara, Riva, Julie, and Cheryl).  Cheryl and Julie only overlapped being in LA by one day, so that was good timing!  Here's a picture (forgive the squintyness...it was sunny)

Cup of Goodies

This Christmas, we received a lovely "coffee themed" gift from the lovely, Katie. Accompanying a mocha colored large mug (perfect for all of those late-night hot chocolates which I love), was a packet of delicious hot chocolate, a chocolate biscotti, and a packet of chocolate covered raisins. Will enjoyed the biscotti and the raisins and I'm looking forward to indulging in the hot chocolate. I'm saving it for the perfect time. Thank you Katie!!

A Fish Dinner

Lisa and Ben kindly sent us a gift certificate to Bass Pro Shops which, after wrestling away from Bryan (not really - he was pretty good about it) we took our little family of four out to lunch. Bryan and I feasted on a yummy fish sandwich and fries, along with calamari for an appetizer, and the boys each had pizza and applesauce. Thank you, guys, for your thoughtfulness and for your part in our lunch enjoyment. Of course we shopped before eating, which was a temptation for us as we told ourselves that we'd use the card on lunch, not store paraphenalia.... we'll do that another time.

Cara

To Lisa and Ben from Riva

Riva sent us some zany kitchen aparati -

a little spatula

herb chopper

avocado slicer

strawberry huller

We actually already have something like the spatula and we use it all the time to serve anything from casseroles to brownies. It will be nice to have an alternate. The other things... well, we haven't used them yet since we've been sick and thus not too adventurous in the kitchen, but I must say I'm really looking forward to using that herb chopper! Thank you Riva!

Thanks, Julie!

Julie gave me some round pans, measuring cups, a glass measuring cup, and a cook book.  I'm excited to add these things to my kitchen.  For the next few months they will be used by at least ten people, and after that I will take them to be used more exclusively by me.  Cooking has been one of my favorite things about living in a house as opposed to the dorms, and these items are great because I didn't have them yet and I certainly needed them.  Thanks Julie!

- Cheryl

The Gifts have been Given

Second year down.  This is what everyone received:

Cara - Bass Pro Shop gift card

Riva - Mug and treats

Janelle - Scarf and picture frame

Julie - Sushi stuff

Lisa - Cooking stuff

Katie - Target gift card

Cheryl - Cooking stuff

Feel free to write more detail about what you were given, or post a picture, or whatever you would like.