A Very Brown Christmas & Taco Dip

After changing the date several times we were finally able to have our "Brown Family Christmas" this past Sunday.  It has been close to 5 years since we've had a full family picture taken (by Scott's sister at SR Photography), so finding a date everyone could be there at least long enough to get a family picture taken was a challenge - but a necessity.

MAY 2010

FEBRUARY 2015

Scott and I are opposites in many aspects and our families are no exception.  Where Scott's family is small and quiet, mine is BIG and LOUD!

 There were several INTENSE card games!

 And a lot of catching up! 

Rather than adults exchanging gifts, we play a dice game.  Everyone brings a $30 gift ($15 for kids). We break into groups and roll dice - when you get doubles you take a gift.  When the gifts are all taken you steal one from someone else.  In the end, if you have more than one you share - everyone ends up with a gift.

The upstairs table.

Grandpa keeping tabs on the living room table :)

The downstairs table.

 There always seems to be 1 or 2 presents everyone wants to steal - some try to hide it where it won't be easily taken!!!

Then came the family picture....  Traditionally this is taken in front of the fireplace.  This year we decided to test the lighting - Scott volunteered ;)

Zac helped, too!

Finally, the gift opening - no small feat to pass out gifts to 23 people and maintain some sort of order while opening!

It is chaos, wonderful chaos!

Grandma had threatened her 2 oldest grandsons that if they didn't provide her with a list she was buying them footsie pajamas!!!  Lance didn't supply a list!

Apparently Josh and Scott have had enough Christmas!

Oh!  And I didn't mention the food!!!  It is a wonderfully, beautiful all day buffet including fruit, veggies, meat, crackers, chips, dips, prime rib sliders, chicken wild rice soup, cheesy potatoes, pizza, Christmas goodies, pie...you name it, we probably consumed it!  My contribution this year was mini chocolate cupcakes with chocolate frosting, apple pie, and taco dip - yep!  I'm healthy like that!  My mother-in-law gave me this recipe and everyone who tries it loves it!

TACO DIP

1 lb. ground beef

1 medium onion, chopped

Black pepper

8 oz. bottle taco sauce (you pick the heat)

1/4 C. water

1 lb. Velveeta, cubed

1 green pepper, chopped

1 medium tomato, chopped

2 1/4 oz. can chopped black olives

1 jalapeno, chopped (optional)

Cilantro (optional)

Brown the ground beef and onion over medium heat.  Drain.  Sprinkle with black pepper.

  Add the taco sauce, water, and Velveeta.  

Melt over medium-low heat.

 Stir in green pepper, tomato, black olives and jalapeno.  

I normally transfer the dip to a crock pot at this point.

Chop some cilantro and stir it in and add some more on top for garnish.  Serve with your favorite tortilla chips.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! ;)