Italian Christmas Eve Eve

Who knew when we moved into our new house that we would live next door to some great people who come complete with an Italian Christmas Eve celebration?  Good thing the bank didn't know or they may have valued the house a bit higher.

On Christmas Eve Eve, they invited us to their family and friend celebration, Italian style.  It came complete with seafood galore.  Below, you can see Keith indulging in some raw oysters.  There was also an amazing buffet that has mussels, shrimp and a bunch of other stuff that I don't recall.  I know Mark rattled off a long list of luxuries from the sea but my pea brain and taste buds turned off as I went into panic mode on what I was getting into.  Keith's brain and taste buds went into over drive salivating over the decadent treat.  I can say, we were all in love with the buffet and everything that found it's way to meeting our taste buds.

Even Kellan was happy to sit upon his Mamas lap where there were snack galor.  Can you say Cheese and Crackers?  A two-year olds best friend?

Kellan's favorite were the butterfly shaped crackers, as seen on his plate here with cheese in his hand giving the camera some BIG CHEESE!

Mark kept saying that he had a BIG surprise.

When the time had come, he introduced us to his top-secret project, the Shot-Ski.

You're never too old for a shot-ski... or maybe you are?

Mark and his Masterpiece.

Before we knew it, it was our turn and some romantic requested a kiss for the photo.  Well, who were we to disagree?

Chocolate Milk?

Giddy-Up!

Oliver was a blur most of the night.  He was running from here to there with the herd of kids and finally, he paused for a photo to prove that he was there.

Kellan spent most of his night at the bar with the snack trays.

Eventually, we saddled Oliver up to the bar for a plate of pasta.  He was SO dramatic with his spaghetti eating form.

He may have been prompted to be a bit extra silly and dramatic for photo effect.  Don't worry, this is not normal eating habits but it was a party and if manners are going to fly-out-the-window, it's going to be at a Christmas Eve Eve Italian dinner party.

Then... the boys discovered the football game.  I missed the moment when Kellan was laying on his belly on the ottoman watching the game too.  On the other hand, Oliver was in this exact position for quite some time.  The boy LOVES football!

Mama and her munchkin striking some self portraits.

The dinner party was a GREAT time.  It was so fun to spend the evening with new neighbors and new friends.  Thanks for hosting!!

Coming home, we all went straight to bed.  Somewhere in there, Silly Sam made it back to the North Pole to see Santa and to visit us one last time before returning to the North Pole for then next 11 months.  This time, he came back with a letter.  

The letter said this:

December 24, 2012

Dear Oliver and Kellan

It was so much fun to spend this Christmas Season with you and your family.  The two of you have been such good boys.  I am very proud of how well you have done this past year and I have had many good reports for Santa.  Santa really enjoyed meeting you at Tanner and Elsa’s house and he has your list sketched on his list.  He knows that Oliver wants a slingshot, a kite and beyblades.  He heard that Grandma may have fulfilled one of those requests, so he’ll leave that one up to her.  He knows that Kellan wants a Choo Choo train and he may have another item in mind for him that he thinks he’ll really like.  Santa is good like that.  He always knows what is best for you boys and he’ll take really good care of you on Christmas morning.  Be sure to get to bed early on Christmas Eve so that you’re well rested for all of the excitement on Christmas morning.  I think that this will be your best Christmas yet!  I wish that I could be here to see all of the Christmas morning fun, but you know that it’s time for me to go back to the North Pole with the other elves and Santa.  I’m already excited to come back to see you next Christmas.  Be good boys and I’ll see you again before you know it.

Love

Silly Sam

After two very busy nights, Christmas Eve morning looked like this:

All three boys in the exact same pose on the couch, dishing out crackers.

It is very important to relax with your back on the couch and your feet on the coffee table.  It's just a bit tough when you're only 3' tall.

There was a lot of rest and relaxation on Christmas Eve day.  We knew that we had two of four very busy days down so rest was required.  Plus, it's always nice to spend quality time with the family.  We were over-joyed with the friends and love that we had been surrounded with for the past two days, but all of the excitement was also stick-out-your-tongue exhausting.

Exhausting or not... we were beaming with happiness!

I love this quick shot of Keith and Kellan sitting up.  There is something special and loving coming from Keith toward Kellan.  Daddy loves his boys in abundance.