Christmas 2007 - Part 2 - Presents, Family, Monster Trees and more!

Here's more picture from the rest of the Christmas vacation. Sunday the 23rd, my Mom's family came over. Usually we do this on Christmas, but I had to fly out Christmas evening. Monday the 24th we went over to my Aunt's house for my Dad's side of the family. Christmas was much more relaxing and less stressful than usual because we didn't have anyone coming over. All we had to do was wake up, eat breakfast, and open presents. Fun!! Thanks Jamie for coming up again and hanging out with my crazy family! And thanks family for making my vacation a great one! I'll be back in July, and maybe sooner!

Jamie got an actual mattress this year - no more Darth Vader bed!

Meg with some crazy wrapped package

Jinx, my parents cat, pulled the tablecloth onto the floor

He was very proud of himself

Table at my aunt's house

Presents at my aunt's house

Jamie talkin to my grandpa

The boys playing army-men

Got a white Christmas this year!

Me and Jamie :-)

My famous shrimp remoulade appetizers

The boys under the tree

Annual grandkid photo under the tree

Outtake

Papa and the boys

Two of my aunts

Jamie and I gave my grandparents a bottle of wine, and discovered later that the bag we picked out sang "Happy Happy Holidays" - This is my grandma's reaction

Yeah bows!

Cousin Petie

Cousin Lukey's new Carmello jersey

The annual beat down of "Uncle Jerk" (aka. Uncle Jack)

Mackey getting beat up

I'm not sure what I'm doing here?

Dessert!

Conall lighting his birthday candles

Conall opening birthday presents

Showing off the new Nano

Papa and Conall

Lukey and the Gun Show

John's a bit more shy...

And he's not a fan of hottub faux-hawks

Watching A Christmas Story and drinking champagne

Christmas morning at home

Jamie opening her present from me

Cool graphite sculpture that you can draw with

Dad's goofy gift from Meghan

Jamie opening more presents

The aftermath...

Pictures of my parents' massive Christmas tree

It takes up most of the living room!

Jinx chillin in the window

My new coat bought with my Macy's giftcards. Thanks Petie, Mom and Dad! Also, the hat Meghan got me in Ireland. Thanks Meg!

Can't wait til next year!! Happy Holidays everyone!

Christmas 2007 - Part 1 - A Night in "Slow Synchro"

Jamie came to town for the family Christmas again this year. Although not as crazy as last year, we did have a lot of fun. Friday night after some yummy Thai dinner with my Dad, Jamie, me and my sister went to Rock and Bowl. We bowled so many games we lost count - from 10:30pm-1:30am. We were all suffering from "bowler's thumb" the next day. Not a bad night, even if it did bring flashbacks from high school. We also took all the pictures in Slow Synchro mode on Jamie's camera, so this night is also a sequel to last years "A Night in Sepia". Good times.

Making fun of the guy who kept blowing the air up his shirt "discreetly"

Jamie, I think you should draw a cartoon of your face in this photo

My sister and me

Floating hands!

Nobody fucks with the Jesus!

And the drive home...

Black Friday Thanksgiving

Since I had to settle for a chicken pot pie for Thanksgiving dinner last year... not to mention I was studying as it was finals week, I really wanted to host a nice home-cooked Thanksgiving gathering of friends. Mary was down for the idea as well, and almost everyone could make it on Friday. Perfect! I cooked a pancetta-sage turkey with country stuffing and a porcini mushroom gravy. Mary cooked some awesome cranberry sauce. Eric made mascarpone mashed potatoes. Jamie brought an awesome olive spread as well as some brie and crackers. Jonboi brought his signature nachos. And Corey contributed with a case of Schlitz (now it's a party!) and some jalapeno jelly with cream cheese. And for dessert, Dave made an awesome chocolate pecan pie. Nora brought a couple of delicious pinot noir's.

I think I must be missing something cause I feel like there was way more food than that. It was delicious and I love having leftovers in the fridge!! Even better than the food was the company. Great friends, some new friends, a Hot Lixx guitar, and a lot of fun! Here's pictures: (You can tell I didn't take them because there's no pictures of the food!)

Me finishing the stuffing and gravy. Eric making his mashers.

Jamie

Corey

Jon

Dave - not sure what's going on here

Still cooking...

Mmmmmm...graaavvvyyyy

Admiring Eric's new awesome immersion blender

Rockin the Hot Lixx!

Dave and Nora helping me carve the turkey

Mary playing dress up with Stormy

Stormy hiding his head in shame

Aw, poor Stormy. After this torture we gave Stormy the giblets and leftovers from making stock. He passed out for the rest of the night.

Some of the new friends

Hanging out after eating and cleaning

Some cute group shots

Stormy passed out after eating turkey

The end! Thanks for coming everyone!! Can't wait for the Hannukah Party!