Merry-Making 2009

Christmas Eve saw me and my little family headed out to Red Dragon Farm for Christmas Eve dinner with the parents.  Brothers John, Andy and Jerry were there, as well as John's two boys, Walker and Gareth.  Also joining us were Uncle George (ex of Dad's half-sister), Uncle Tom (Mom's brother) and Marta (Tom's wife).  It was quite a gathering! 

When I talked to Andy beforehand, he asked if I would make deviled eggs for him.  He's a HUGE fan of them, but doesn't get them often.  The last time I brought some to somewhere he was, they didn't even make it to the door.  He met me in the driveway and proceeded to consume the entire platter.  That was NOT going to happen this time.  I made TWO trays of them.  It was raining when we arrived, so they actually made it out of the driveway and through the garage before being accosted at the doorway.  Andy's eyes lit up and he asked, "Which one is MINE?"  Darling Man looked at me and told him to hand Andy the blue one.  Five minutes later, they were gone.  That did it for Andy though, so the rest of us got to eat the other tray. 

This is what was left.

Family gathered that hadn't been around for a while.  With her new haircut, Mom looks a lot like her little brother Tom.  The Sadler-ness really came out.

The boy spent most of his time being Tinkertoy Boy!  He's really into

building backpacks out of  

circles and sticks.

After everyone ate way too much, Andy and Dad both collapsed into recliners and fell asleep.  Dad gave me one final, baleful look as I took yet another in a series of hundreds of photos of him in his recliner - then closed his eyes with a gentle harumph and dozed.

And the next morning, it was CHRISTMAS!

Our modest little Charlie Brown tree with a surprising number of presents underneath.  I guess when you add everyone's contributions together, it creates quite a pile.

Then there was the present that wouldn't fit UNDER the tree.  It had its own spot over by the piano...  Look at that grin!  This is one happy boy!

       Misha got to play in the boxes.

Around 10am, the in-law family began to arrive for Christmas Brunch.  I'd made two breakfast casseroles, a platter of fruit, some croissants, and real cocoa made from cocoa powder, sugar, milk, salt and vanilla.  The family turned out enmass.

There was some interesting news - niece Kelly is engaged!  No date has been set, but she brought her fiancee with her and introduced him to the family.  Our internationality just keeps growing and growing.  Fiance M has a Cuban father and a Puerto Rican mother.  He said this hesitantly when I asked him where he was from.  I then explained that I have had two Puerto Rican aunts, that my cousin is half-PR and the father of her children are also Puerto Rican.  My daughter-in-law is from El Salvador.  Another aunt married a guy from Equador.  We are Germans, Czechs, Welsh, Nordic, English - a real hodge-podge family.  True Americans, as it were.  He visibly relaxed and finally began enjoying himself.

       

Kelly showed her grandmother the ring while Kylee looked on.

Some of the family on the back deck:  Grandma Helen, Kurt, Patty, Kelly, Kylee, Michael and Revan (dog).

Sister-in-law Cindi and her daughter Hillary relax while the kids open presents.

Helen and Roy surrounded by grandchildren:  Zach, Hillary, Matt, Kylee, Kelly, Kurt.  Not in attendance were Eva, Erika and Elisa.  That's a lot of grandchildren!

Z got all ready for the inaugural new bike ride.  So excited!  He and Matt rode all around the neighborhood.  I tried to take a picture as he went by with his big grin, but it was blurry.

Finally, everyone left.  I think a good time was had by all.  Darling Man went to work.  The boy went upstairs to play on the computer.  I put dishes in the dishwasher, vacuumed up where the fake snow had spilled in the livingroom and tidied everything up so that the house was clean and serene once again.

Then I joined my furry feline friends and took a long nap on the couch. 

It was, all in all, a very good Christmas, indeed!