Once again this year we celebrated Christmas with Sue's side of the family. Actually we have been celebrating together almost thirty years. Most every year until the last two we have consistently met each Christmas Eve. This year we met at Len and Marcie's (Urbanski) on the Saturday before Christmas (12/19/2009). That's my nephew Ryan with his girl friend Emily in the photo above. The handsome guys behind them are of course me and (Uncle) Ron Bouch. I could actually see Ron through Ryan's ear. Don't let Ron scare you he always looks like that.
Since Sue and I married in 1981 we have been gathering with the Urbanski side of the family each Christmas. When we started there of course were no kids. Well that's not true, Jeremy Scott was born in 1980 so he would have been there from the beginning. Back then we started each Christmas Eve celebration with a football game. We must have done this for about five years. For some reason, probably survival we ceased to play. But we have continued sharing a hot meal, fun, and presents. Some time in the early 1980's we began to play our unique version of gift giving. Well at least back then it was unique. Since then I am aware that others frequently play the gift game. You see we don't just give gifts we decided it was better to "take" gifts. What started out as about 12 relatives playing this game has evolved to almost thirty. Twenty-eight participated this year and David Scott, Jeremy and his lovely new wife Amy, and Jenifer Mason where not able to come. We missed them.
Well anyway back to the game. I'll spare you the specific rules for now, but in general each relative brings a wrapped gift. Each gift is placed in the center of the room. Sequential numbers are randomly assigned. The game is played in ascending order. That is the relative that has number 1 goes first and picks a gift from the pile. Each succeeding person can either "take" a preceding players gift or take one from the pile. This is performed over and over until all numbers are played and all gifts from the pile are selected. We encourage the "taking" of gifts from each other. Yes we like being mean in a nice way. After all these years we all understand that no one should become too comfortable with their selected gift. Unless its a dud. Then they must find a way to market their selected gift. Below is a photo from a Christmas party about five years ago showing one of the more calmer moments.
This years attendance included; Len, Marcie, Ryan (& Emily), and Richie Urbanski. Marcie once again graciously hosted the party at their River Forest house. David and Cindy (Urbanski) Scott. Dave had to leave early. Ron and Karen (Urbanski) Bouch with Nicholos, Patrick, and RJ. Tommy and Marsha Mason. Their son Scott and his girlfriend (& children). Jeff and Chris (Applegarth)Ekas with Jeff's daughter (Shannon). Myself, Sue (Urbanski) Brown with Josh and his girlfriend (Sara), Amanda and her boyfriend (Brandon), Matt and Kara.As usual we had an excellent time. Each year is special yet different. We just seem to enjoy each other more and more each year. Two events stood out this year. The first was Ron's gift. Surprise! A deer call and deer urine. Yes that's what I said - urine. Thankfully Ron selected his own gift and loved it. His picture at the top of this post says it all. Possibly one other stand out was that Sue and I gave framed enlarged photos of Len, Cindy, Karen, and Sue's Dad. Leonard "Popeye" Urbanski Navy photo's. Actually it was a postcard of his Ship, "The USS Brownson" and his handwritten postcard note together with a picture of him standing by a column of the Pantheon. I guess it turned out fairly nice. Merry Christmas Urbanski clan!
