Christmas Eve at Grandma's 2011

After communion of course we go to Grandma's to hang out and eat breakfast which was cooked by Becky, Whitney, Olivia and myself. I know I've already said that but I felt it necessary to say again, because while we were cooking, there were many goofy pictures taken by many goofy people, or maybe just a few goofy people. I really don't know. Anyway, fun was had by all and good food was eaten and since Santa skips grown ups, the pressure to get home early and get kids to bed early was completely unnecessary.

And mentioning Santa brings to mind a story I was told just in the last year by my darling daughter Caitlin. Here's how it goes. When Caitlin Bess was a little girl, I'm unsure of the age but I'm going with eight...ish, she decided it was time to push the envelope and see if Santa was for real so, she set dear old Santa.....and Mom up. She wanted a CD, specifically Jock Jams, but she decided to tell only "mall Santa" and not the "Santa" she lived with. Mall Santa, screwed me over and failed to give me a run down of what the kid had requested. I mean....there's no confidentiality agreement between kids and Santa Claus. In order to ensure the integrity of Christmas giving, Mall Santa should have pulled this Mom aside and say, "Dude...Jock Jams will make or break you this year." But because Mall Santa lacked a team mentality, come Christmas morn, there was no Jock Jams under the tree, which therefore caused my conniving kid to cast a suspicious eye on her parents. And even though I'm pretty sure no small children read this blog, I'll leave it at that.

Now back to documenting the Eve at the Gmaw's.

Those of us who were interested watched as Carrie's practiced counting fingers. Looks like she's up to 2. Nice job Carrie. Randy thinks he misplaced his tongue. Nope, still there. And Bill's just super enthralled.


Happiness and skepticism. A wonderful pairing.


More skepticism. She probably just told the Jock Jams story.


Looks like she traded that water in for a little Mimosa.


Then it was time for a surprise for Whitney. She's being guided out the door by her father.


You'll never be disappointed by a reaction from Whitney.


Otis' new abode/doghouse/red barn.


SOOOOO cute!! He looks happy with it.


Uh oh. Eli already pushed him out. There was a whole fight about it.


Back inside, Grandma and Keith were having a chat.


While the major photo bombers were having a photo op.


And because turn about is fair play, they were bombed. Did they not see this coming? Maggie's not amused when the shoe's on the other foot.


One more chance for a good pic. Love that Weil Cleaners bag in the background.


Others perused iPads and such.


Others had prime seating. Carlie and Grandma hogged that freaking couch for the entire holiday season. It was ridiculous.


Caitlee B.


Why do people think when they are sitting in the prime seating that we can't see them when they close their eyes!?!? We can see you still hogging the seating Carlie!


Becky's checking William's cooking time.


There's an open spot in the prime seating! It's unheard of!


I have no idea what's going on here. I suspect someone needs the little girls' room.


This sign was made by the photo bombers who were trying to make their case before midnight.


Jared's best Christmas present.....chocolate chip cookies.


Grandma and Carlie looking at hot guys on the iPad.


Caitlin making friends with the camera. Geez Louise Carlie, don't you ever have to pee? And it's nice to get Billie in mid chew.


Here's evidence Carlie FINALLY got up off the couch. SHOCKING!!


Okay just when you think life can't get any better, you get a shot of Melanie like this. But the Herrock girls were ready.


Whitney's thinking, "Did I cook 6 biscuits or 68 biscuits?" YOU COOKED 68 BISCUITS! Carlie's been depressed since she lost the prime seat.


Multi layers here. Cooking in the background, eating in the middle and an "ah hah moment" about the biscuit cooking in the foreground.


Then self portraits became the trend.


Umm hmm.


I live with them. This is fake.


Don't know what they were going for here, but the choices are fear, shock or surprise.


Enjoying the eve.


The bombing just never seemed to end.


Then it got weird when Mollie went into boxing mode. Maggie DID NOT approve.


Yep still weird and Maggie still disapproving.


Let's just let this play out.


Mollie's pleased with her performance. Maggie never got on board.


See? I told you.


And there you have it. The communing, the cooking, the biscuit counting, the bombing, the Otis house, the boxing... It all came together for a wild, weird and wacky Christmas Eve.

Sounds about right.