Christmas 2009: Part One (Christmas Eve)

Posted in Life by Marlène
Dec 26 2009
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Christmas Eve started off on a sweet note:

My mom gave me an Advent Calendar for my birthday, and today’s chocolate was the big one: the chocolate santa!! Much fist pumping and “yesssssing” ensued…

Until Ange threatened to steal it (like he did LAST YEAR!!! I know, I couldn’t believe it either)

I booked out of work early and we headed down to Almonte to hang out at Angelo’s parent’s house. We picked up Ange’s brother, Richard, and Endo, his border collie. My first reaction to picking up the dog was “Major Groan” because for some strange reason I always think he’s an excitable dog. Nothing could be further from the truth. He’s super well-behaved, and was excellent in the car. Way better than poor Gracie (the late family dog) who would get so car-sick she’d just pace and drool all over the place in the back, trying not to throw up (and not always succeeding).

We spent the afternoon in Almonte, hung out with Angelo’s parents and both his brothers (the youngest, Anthony, was home from Victoria) and I got some awesome gifts. It was a really nice time there, so nice in fact that I didn’t think to take the camera out once (boo).

We had to leave in early evening to go to my family party. The Barrés always get together on Christmas Eve and usually end up partying pretty hard.

And in recent years, there’s been a resurgence of Visits From Santa, to appease the little ones (there are nine of them now!):

Mia!

Jacob!

Ky!

Mathieu!
Madeleine!
Christine?

(Little Victoria was shy – first time in her life – and so Christine had to get her gift from Santa while she hid behind her mother)


After Santa said his goodbye, my dad mysteriously returned to the party and our gift exchange began. This is where everyone brings a gift and we play a game where we can steal gifts from each other. There’s one gag gift (a horrible bathing suit) that gets regifted every year. Last year, I was the unfortunate soul who grabbed it, so I had the pleasure of regifted it this year. New guy got it – brilliant!!!


Angelo and I were falling all over ourselves laughing at him as he picked up the dreaded gift. But Ange didn’t laugh for long, because this is what he got stuck with:

What’s up, Bulwinkle?

There were many bearded men at the party this year

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Not least of which was Santa!!!

All in all, a wonderful evening, which is just what this family needed after a year marked by tragedy. We all banded together and vowed to make 2010 a year of happiness and peace.

Merry Christmas everyone!!

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