Christmas Post #9 2009
Happy Boxing Day! And Kwanzaa, too! We had fun getting ready for our friends to come over for our traditional Kelley Ridge Christmas Open House. This year, as last, we had it on Boxing Day. And this year, as last, we combined Adkins–Willett Christmas with our Open House. We scaled down a bit, what with wedding preparations happening fast and furious, but a good time was had by all.
The kids helped me clean up and cook.
We had “While You Were Sleeping,” Caitlan’s and my fave Christmas movie, on while we worked. Brendan made his signature roasted rosemary potatoes. They fixed up the basement for game playing, made a fire, and put together our light-up animated deer figures for outside. When Verla and Pat and family (including Andrew’s girlfriend, Ann) arrived, Verla also cooked. My present from her was a little white piano porcelain candy dish and my favorites–ranch flavored oyster crackers! Simon also brought us a delicious Cabernet from Mexico. Ian created the mulled wine and spiced cider. The mulled wine was such a hit that he had to make seconds! After a little while, Kyle’s family (Kent, Dana, Brook, Randy, and Kamara) arrived for a visit. Kamara liked my singing Santa hat and the wind chimes on the deck.
They left and then Jim and Beth arrived. About this time we were having Caitlan’s last wedding dress fitting by seamstress extraordinaire Monica, so all the boys were banished to the downstairs to play games, although some of them snuck up a few times to get food. Ann and Kara joined them. John, Dana, and Marty arrived, too, and Dana brought some delicious fresh pineapple rolled in coconut. Ian should have felt transported back to his island. I also loved the bottle of olive oil that Beth brought us–it was from a cooperative of Jewish and Arab women. The kids played lots of games and ended up back upstairs to play an giant group game of STAR WARS Trivial Pursuit after the dress-trying-on was finished.
I had to try both of my dresses on standing next to KK, and the guests helped me decide on which one to wear in the wedding based on how they looked on me and also how they looked next to Caitlan’s beautiful dressy dress. I was sure glad to have their help, because I have been unable to decided since we bought them. Verla even altered the top for me right there and then! It was such a fun time. What wonderful friends and family we have!
