My crazy family

It's the most wonderful time of the year. No, it's not Christmas, but the cheerful chaos surrounding it sometimes feels like it is.

It's one of my favorite times of the year (not to be confused with March Madness or the entire month of September).

We are family. Get up everybody and sing!!!

Every year around the 4th of July, my sister and her family make the trek from San Antonio to Lincoln and our families get together for the week. There are a few silly traditions we maintain each year. For one, we are a very competitive family. Naturally, since I am the best at everything we do, everyone sets out to try to beat me, which year to year is nearly impossible to do. Hmmm. Who just won the ping pong tournament tonight? Oh yeah...me. I wasn't keeping score, but I beat my mom 21 to 6. I was having an off night.

We have a 4-Square Match which my brother-in-law, Kendal, typically dominates. I'm pretty sure he makes up rules as he goes. I must say, I've never seen anyone move so low to the ground as he does during the game. Pretty sure he is secretly sore the next day. Then we have the traditional "Nebraska" food they don't serve in Texas...Runza's, Valentino's Pizza, and let's not forget my Mother's famous lasagna, usually topped with strand or two of her shedding hair. Finding Mom's hair has now even become part of a competitive challenge for us all..."Who's gonna find Mom's hair this year?" Sounds like a new idea for a reality TV show.

There's sleep-overs, pool parties, tennis and board games. The boys try harder and harder to take down Uncle Nick who, regardless of their size, continues to take them down with the flick of his wrist. My repressed memories usually resurface as we reminisce about growing up and I'm reminded of my sister popping off my Barbie's heads just to antagonize me as a child. I'm sure Siggy Freud would have a hay day with that one! Baby Steps to the elevator....

I love my crazy family. I love hanging out with my family. We laugh at people getting hurt. In fact, we encourage it. We set people up for it. We make fun of each other. We laugh at awkward moments and we make sure those awkward moments don't go unnoticed.

There may not be a red-nosed reindeer or snow or tales of a talking snowman or jolly old man delivering presents around the world, but having my sister and her family in town for the 4th of July truly is the most wonderful time of the year!!!