Christmas Eve '10

Our neighbors - ie. our family away from family – decided to do a progressive dinner this Christmas Eve, but for lunch instead of dinner. We have such wonderful neighbors and friends here and we have lots of get-togethers (impromptu and planned) and this was another wonderful effort. Joe, aka Papa Joe, made his famous grilled turkey which is unbelievably good and everyone else made the sides. Then we ventured over to Liz and Don’s to have a smorgous board of desserts.

Looking festive

Ain't no thing but a chicken wing!

Yes, the weather is that nice that the little ones could eat outside!

It’s so nice to have such a friendly neighborhood where everyone chips in to help everyone else. Of all the places we’ve lived, we’ve never experienced such a camaraderie and it’s going to be hard to leave this in the summer. Right now, we’re thankful for what we have, which is a true community of caring, friendly neighbors. Thank you neighbors!

After a bonfire and light supper, we prepared the kids for bed tonight.  They are SOOO excited for Santa to come.  I've never had so many questions about his habits and methods as London bombards me with.  It is a very fun time!  We had our usual routine of reading "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" (next year, Grandpa, it will be you who reads it!) and "'Twas the Night Before Christmas" then laid out Santa's cookies along with a really sweet card from London. 

London and Emmy, sprinkled the yard with reindeer feed (Ms. Kelly's yard, too, so she would get presents!).

Then we checked NORAD (http://www.noradsanta.org/) one last time before sending them all to bed.  Santa starts in this part of the world so we have to get to bed extra early.  He was already in Fiji by the time I tucked them in!  I'd better get to bed soon too, I think I might have an extra early wake up call tomorrow...