family history and Christmas

Whoa, have we really let this blog be silent for so long?!?! I guess because most everyone is on Facebook now ...

I was thinking about this blog during General Conference - what if we started using it for family history stuff? Then it would have a purpose that wouldn't be fulfilled with Facebook. Mom and Dad could post old stories about our ancestors, like they sent out last year leading up to the Nauvoo reunion. They were interesting to read and I'd like to share more of them with my kids. I could also  post a question once a month or so for everyone to answer to build our own family histories now and share stories back and forth. People working on extraction work or other family history work could share experiences, or questions, or "can someone help me look for _____" (like Aaron or Adam or Amanda who may be working on their own lines - others could pitch in and help them). You get the idea ... a family history location.

I also drew names today for the sibling and cousin gift exchanges. I assume everyone is still in for it - let me know if your family chooses to not participate this year (and no, no one will be offended) and I'll rearrange things.

Siblings:
Trina - Eric
Eric - Mindy
Jared - Nathan
Tawnia - Jared
Emily - Clarissa
Nathan - Emily
Mindy - Tawnia
Clarissa - Trina

My suggested theme is some kind of holiday decoration item, and it doesn't have to be Christmas. It can be for any holiday. Any other ideas, or are you good with this one?

Cousin book exchange:

Summer - Emma
Marnie - Amanda Junior
Jenna - Henry
Tenley - Brooke

Stevie - Jenna
Allie - Tenley

Brooke - Aria
Bryan - Marnie
Emma - Summer

Joshua - Allie
Henry - Stevie
Amanda Junior - Bryan

Aria - Joshua

I realize that your families will be getting the same names over again, but I've been keeping track of who has been giving gifts each year since we started this. There have been no individual repeats so far. Like last year, Brooke had Summer and this year Emma does. So even though it didn't change family, it did change cousin. And yes, I did this on a blind draw, only adjusting if someone got their sibling or a cousin they'd already had.