Kicking off the photo parade, we have some kids (mostly ours) patiently waiting for the talent portion of the evening to begin.
That's Tyler, Ellysa, Kaylee, Miranda and Kendra's right ear, arm and leg. Filling in the background are Mike & Kay Moen, friends of Richard and Dorothy, who have been coming to the Christmas Even party for several years. Nice people, and Kay has earned the nickname "Crazy Kay" from Cindy.
Here's Kaylee representing our family, and doing a great job of it!
Miranda also sang to represent her family, and I think we were all blown away by her voice!
Karen's family was represented by Spam & Mathew, singing a duet. Linda (Spam's) daughter Aubrey was so inspired, she decided to show off her perfectly symetrical nostrils!
Never one to be outdone, Linda (Kay) had two kids proudly on display.
Kevin sang, and then...
Rachel played a flute solo. Good stuff!!
The it was Richard's turn, and he amazed everyone in attendance, as usual. Then Mom decided that she got to make a special request, and demanded that her four kids in the room sing for her. OUCH!
Next year maybe I'll get to hold my own book. But probably not, since we all know how Karen LOVES to be important...
Finally, it was time for the annual White Elephant Bloodbath - er - Gift Exchange. In this picture, in addition to the several Pieces of Pretty on my head, I'm holding a truly hideous ...um... thing... that I "won" in the derby. My revenge will be putting it back in the pile next year! In the background are Eric, Alicia, and her husband Daniel.
After the gifts were done, we headed back home, and Mom did the honors or reading "The Night Before Christmas" to all the kids. Then it was off to bed, so Santa can come!
Oh, and Santa brought us Guitar Hero III - Andy was concentrating so hard on rocking out that he almost - ALMOST - forgot to look like he's enjoying it!
It was a VERY Merry Christmas, It even snowed for about an hour, just enough to say we had snow on Christmas. Everyone made it home safe and sound, and Cindy and I left the next day for a week in southern California, and New Years at Disneyland. Everyone should try to come next year, it's the best Christmas Eve party anywhere!!
