Expecting the Unexpected...

ONE of the many lessons I have learned

over several years of HANGIN' with the Alvord's is...


"EXPECT the UNEXPECTED"

and to prove my point

I will use The Alvord Christmas Day Party...

EXPECTED - Everyone behaves nicely
(at the beginning, anyway - just let us get warmed up)

UNEXPECTED - the discovery of a new talent for Ryan

EXPECTED - Chris refusing to have her picture taken

(last year's photo - didn't even attempt it this year)

EXPECTED - a ceremony of "The Passing of Gifts"

UNEXPECTED - where they are pulled from

(thanks for your help, Brock)

UNEXPECTED - last year Ken was the first
to open the "lacy panties"
(and UNEXPECTEDly surprised us all by putting them on his head)

EXPECTED - this year his son Scott opened the "lacy panties"
and was EXPECTED to put it on his head

(which he did UNEXPECTEDly)

note: I EXPECT NOT to get the "lacy panties" next year!!!

UNEXPECTED - so much merriment from Dave & Becky

(causes us to suspect what is UNEXPECTEDly in their water)

EXPECTED - a little ruckus at sometime during the party
(it's all in fun - for the rest of us - sorry Caden)


UNEXPECTED - I let my son take my picture
MORE UNEXPECTED - I then put it on the blog

(i hate pictures of myself - must be the Alvord coming out it me)

EXPECTED - making Grandma sit down & open presents

EXPECTED - these two boys showing up in a sports jerseys

EXPECTED - Brock brings a football
EXPECTED - a game of tackle with the football in the basement

UNEXPECTED - teenagers dodging the camera
(What happened to posing and begging for pictures?)

EXPECTED - sharing ANY interesting medical condition
EXPECTED - receiving therapy from Kelly
UNEXPECTED - the Pain!!!

(UNEXPECTEDly it was Scott, not Chris this time)

EXPECTED - a game of Hide & Go Seek for the kids
UNEXPECTED - Emilee hides in the toys

(then she can play while she waits to be found - a true MULTItasker)

EXPECTED - Plenty of GOOD food & GREAT company

UNEXPECTED - So many wonderful gifts

from such generous family members

(although this happens every year it is still UNEXPECTED, Thanks!)

EXPECTED - the guys hangin' out

EXPECTED - goofy faces for every picture

UNEXPECTED - my sons are the only ones with the goofy faces

(just a little photo opt overload, ya think!)

UNEXPECTED - a flying monkey is the hit of the party

UNEXPECTED - the birthday girl, Nicole, announces
the baby she is EXPECTING is a BOY - Congrats!!



After all is said and done

the one thing you can always EXPECT

when HANGIN' with the Alvord's

is an UNEXPECTedly good time!