Happy Everything this holiday!

Christmas Eve 2011 was a huge success! This is our 4th year hosting xmas eve for 45 people! WOW we've been hosting for 4 years now! Next year is year #5 - I'll have to pull out all the stops next year! Oh boy Steve I think we need all the reindeer and Santa with his sleigh next year...the ideas are already coming! It really is my favorite party to host! I love all the glitter and the sparkle of it all. My table is set weeks in advance and I fuss with it everyday until the day to only have it all torn apart when the family hit the table to make room for the food - jeesh can a candlestick get any respect?

Let's eat!

Kids opening gifts! Yes that is Steven's "OMG it's exactly what I wanted" face!

Organized Chaos

This year Santa came and it was the highlight of the evening. I can't speak for any of the other parents but my kids were just in complete awe of it

Samantha's face above Bella's face below say's it all:

Sam and her cousin Frank

Anthony and his cousin Michael:

Some of the men:

Here are just a few from christmas morning:

Insanity:

Steve all excited over his dinosaur:

New PJ's from Great Grandma:

It was a great weekend and that's why I really shouldn't focus on any of the negative but alas there was, as there usually is in some family's, when the holidays come around. Let me just say this - there were family members missing over the last 2 days of festivities. It is a shame that their differences couldn't have been put aside even during the holidays when this is the time that family should be together. It was disrespectful to parents and grandparents that only wish to see their family all together. The anger and bitterness that has been so consuming over the last few months should have been put aside during this time of year. After this I sadly see no resolution in sight and it will not be my loss nor will I let it be my children's. We all have choices to make to live our life to it's fullest and it saddens me to think that my family would have such a negative impact on someone else's life that they would feel the need to remove us from theirs.

So to my family that loves and respects me I wish you a wonderful 2012 and may all your hopes and dreams come true!