Christmas Day

An Early Morning Hockey Game

I set out making Christmas dinner early on Christmas morning, so by the time my parents and sister had arrived, most of the prep work was done. There was still lots of last minute stuff to do, though. What was nice was what happened when they arrived. Ever since we immigrated from England when I was small, my mother has done Christmas dinner on her own. We arrive, but she has it all under control. It is what she is used to. And I think - what she prefers. But me, well, I do not cook because I like to. I cook because if I don't, I think the people in my house would mutiny!! And so I would prefer the group effort, rather than having people chatting in the livingroom while I am putting on the dinner.

As our family has increased in size, and as my sister has had her children, my mother's house - where we have always done Christmas - has grown increasingly smaller. So this year, we agreed that we would do dinner and festivities at our house. We have tons of space, and there is room for every group who wants to break off to have somewhere to go, and you don't feel that you are overrun with children!! *grin*

Anyway, when they all arrived it was kind of neat. My mum was called on to help with the veggies and the roast potatoes. She has a way of making the best roast potatoes and we all end up fighting over them (sort of, we don't get too physical *grin*). My dad was needed to make the stuffing to how he has always done it. And my sister was doing all the other leftover jobs. So, soon everyone had a job.

I much prefer this method to the one person putting on dinner. It is so much more fun and just feels like a real group effort.

My smart aleck brother *smile* was sitting at the counter watching us all work and all of a sudden, he found this list on the counter - To Do List For Mandy - this is my sister. She was coming to help put on the dinner, but her list was not for the dinner hour; it was for the tea time (later in the evening). So Mr. Smartie decides to make sure that Mandy is doing her list. I can't describe it, but suffice it to say, it was funny. He made it clear that he would supervise as that is what he has been doing for the last number of years on job sites. A lot of brother/sister/sister laughing and joking. It was fun to be all together.

Before too long, he too was pitching in washing dishes. I think he realized he might not eat unless he did!

Granny Helping Briton

Wee One's Dinner Time

Serving the Troops

The Little One's Table

Somehow, I missed taking a picture of the big boys' table! Too bad!

The Adults and One Young Mischief Maker

It was a wonderful Christmas dinner, and so nice to all be together. That night, while the wee children were in bed and the big boys were playing the newest fun - Buzz Junior (got to check that out!) the adults all sat up in the kitchen, til 2:00 am talking, discussing, debating. At one point, my dad said, "Well, now that we have solved all the world's problems...."

This was funny cause you know how volatile conversations can get while discussing: religion, politics - Bush in Iraq, global warming, etc - well it didn't. We had some pretty intense conversation and it was great fun!

It was a wonderful night and I look forward to our next family gathering.