'Twas the Night Before Christmas...

Since the Christmas Holiday here is, I am sure, similar to yours, the celebration goes on for days and days... just like when I was little, I am sure my kids don't realize that Christmas is just supposed to last one morning... so I thought that I would FINALLY get our Christmas pictures up...there were just so many photos! It was really a busy and wonderful holiday, so I will break each "event" into a separate blog... Let's start with Christmas Eve... (the pictures are out of order, but who cares... I am too tired to switch them! :-)

Christmas Eve is spent with a very large dinner at my parents' house. My Grandmother Gesko (Gummi to the great grandkids) and my mom's sister and brother-in-law, Sandy and Dan come in from Maryland. The kids get SO excited to see them and spend time with them. At our Christmas dinner, we eat a clove of garlic before the meal and a dish called obaganza - I KNOW that I am butchering the spelling, but what it is is dough balls covered in a poppy seed sauce. Both are equally disgusting in my opinion, but it is tradition to bring you luck in the new year. Those crazy Slovaks! :-) On Christmas Eve, we open gifts with my brother Jack's family.

Gummi with her great grandkids. (left to right: Mario, Alli, Josh, Riley & Zach)

My mom and dad, Nanny and Pappy to the grandkids (l to r: Mario, my mom, Alli, Josh, my dad, Riley & Zach)

My brother, Jack's family with Gummi (Josh, Vicki, Riley, Zach, Jack, Gummi)

My mom's sister, Sandy and her hubby Dan

Jeff and I (yes, I am aware that in EVERY picture my bra strap is showing... ahhh!)

sister-in-laws

my niece and I

I got the boys marshmallow shooters which were a big hit!
Mario admiring Riley's Barbie... it sings!

Alli and her Pap

my girl

This one is for Holls... Riley LOVED her Holly G Bow! (you can get them at the link to the LEFT)

my brother, the Grinch!

My mom always hosts such a wonderful Christmas Eve celebration... thanks, Mom!

dad happy with Pitt stuff!

Alli happy with the entire Nightmare on Elm Street set... not to be watched in this house! :-)

Mario opening...

silly

helper

more silly

bring on the grub!

no, seriously, is anyone gonna feed me?

how about some pumpkin pie?

It is always nice to be with family... especially at the holidays.

The star on my parents' tree that has been the same one since we were little... when it is plugged in, it heats up and spins little stars all over the ceiling.. it is cool, even at my age!