An Isenbarger Family Christmas

 (A little background - those in our family who were coming for Christmas self quarantined for two weeks and then had COVID tests to ensure they were negative. This let us feel comfortable in getting together.)

Every other year, our family gets together for Christmas at our home here in Indiana. It's a monumental task coordinating the schedules of 28 people, but usually most of us make it. And while this year we were missing Mountain Mama Jessica and her family as well as Beach Son Kyle and crew, we were grateful to have four of our kids and their families with us for Christmas.

Back row left to right: Todd, Denver Daughter Sarah, JC, Emily holding Pony Pal Susie, Music City Son Cole, Local Son Curt holding Pony Pal Mila, Vanessa. Seated left to right: Horse Buddy Trinity holding Cowpoke Ian, me holding Pony Pal Kate (who insisted on wrapping up in the 10' pink python we gave her for Christmas), Craig holding Cowpoke Lukie, and Teacher Daughter Lisa holding Pony Pal Julie.

Of course, we went out to visit the horses. Julie, Mila, Lukie, Kate, and Vanessa with Abby. (A longer blog post on that barn visit is coming.)

On Christmas Eve we always reenact the Nativity. I got to be a horse in the stable. (Typecasting? Haha!)

I was also asked to read The Night Before Christmas to everyone. The unicorn who was in our Nativity reenactment hung around to hear the story. (What?? You didn't know that a unicorn came to see Baby Jesus? Well, she did in the Isenbarger family version!)

Speaking of unicorns, Pony Pal Mila loved her new Breyer Aurora. I took it out of its Breyer box, wrapped it in bubble wrap, and put it in a Breyer mailing box before wrapping it. She was SO excited and liked the box so much we had to save it for her. 

Craig and I got at least one gift wrapped in unicorn paper.

Guess who got new cowgirl boots for Christmas?? I am hoping to ride some more this spring.

Craig also surprised me by having a blanket made with a picture of Abby and me on it.

The Not Mares in Black, Music City Son Cole, Todd (Sarah's hubby), Craig, and Local Son Curt, chat around the kitchen island.

JC (Denver Daughter's oldest and a college student at BYU Idaho) was a patient cousin and let Julie, Lukie, Mila, and Ian tackle him on the trampoline.

Since we had told everyone that their dogs were welcome to come to our home, we had five dogs among the chaos.

Horse Buddy Trinity (JC's sister) stretched out with her dog, Blue and our Pepper.

Pony Pal Julie with Millie and Molly, Teacher Daughter Lisa's dogs.

Music City Son Cole took a nap cuddled up with with Rhett, Denver Daughter Sarah's Australian Goldendoodle puppy.

And while we only had a little dusting of snow on Christmas Day,

it was still a magical day. (Must've been the unicorn.)