I don’t know about any of you but after yet another amazing Holiday-Extravaganza filled with: food, family, friends and laughter, I am simply exhausted! And here’s why…
Friday started out like any other day. Except that it was completely different. Why? Because we were hosting My Daddy’s 62nd Birthday Bash! Which just happens to fall on Christmas Eve.
This is the one time a year my ‘Immediate Family’ is guaranteed to get together.
And yes, it was totally-super-awesome.
My mother and I had spent several days lovingly preparing the house. We shopped, we cleaned, we cooked, we decorated, and we wrapped the hell out of those presents. By the time everyone arrived? We were definitely ready to celebrate. In fact, we partied like it was 1999.
My parents thoroughly enjoyed having all of their children, and all of their grandchildren, together, under the same roof. It’s not very often our house is filled with such glorious chaos, or the sounds of six happily screaming children playing hide and seek, opening their gifts, and hopped up on all the sugar imaginable.
I also think everyone felt a little ‘Extra Blessed’ considering both ‘Gramma Evelyn’ and ‘Poppa Sye’ suffered strokes earlier this year. It was absolutely wonderful having them here with us for the festivities. There was one very ‘Intensely Touching Moment’ when Gramma Evelyn first laid eyes on her Great-Grandchildren. Her tough exterior came crumbling down when she burst into tears and started sobbing. And of course, that made everyone else break down weeping.
Everything was going great and everyone was having fun. That is, until ‘Mickey Mouse’ drank one too many Café Patron Shots and started mouthing off. Luckily, my father was able to get him under control, and quickly.
We laughed, we ate, we cried.
We gossiped, we drank, and we ate again.
After a birthday cake, my father opened his cards and presents. I would like to take this time to give ‘Props’ to my brother Adam’s girlfriend Leah, for getting my dad such a funny gag-gift. And, one that he was all-too-happy to wear, for the rest of the evening.
*The body-bling my father is sporting says, “It’s My Birthday Bitches!”
Yep.
That’s My Daddy.
The Complete Set Of Photos Can Be Found Here —–> *My Daddy’s 62nd Birthday
—————————————————————————
Christmas Day didn’t start until 11:30am. Thankfully we got to sleep in. Still exhausted my mother, my father, and I, piled into the car and drove up to my Uncle Ricks house.
Unfortunately, due to scheduling issues and traveling distance, some people were unable to attend. And even though this was a much smaller affair, we had an incredibly fabulous time.
Once again, my Uncle Rick truly out did himself with the table settings and creating such an inviting atmosphere. But, I think my favorite part of the day was seeing good old Gramma Ev back in action, in her own kitchen. Even though she didn’t really do any of the cooking, she did stir the pasta, and she made her famous salad.
And that was MORE THAN ENOUGH to put a HUGE smile on my face.
Now I don’t want to shock anyone here, because as most of you know – 99% of the time Gramma Ev looks like this:
Even when she’s happy.
But, I managed to captured a photo of Gramma Evelyn.
And she was SMILING.
And that my friends, was a Christmas Miracle!
The Complete Set Of Photos Can Be Found Here —–> *Christmas 2010
And that’s a wrap!
* So tell me boys and girls, ladies and gentlemen, how was YOUR holiday?
Your family is the COOOOLEST !!!!!!!
Awwwwwww….GREAT pics as always Meleah!…the pics of ? Gramma Ev & Papa Sye ? particularly made me smile & warmed my heart.
But I’m just realllllly glad the holidays are almost over…it’s been such a hard year for me personally – I just want it to be OVER!….things are gonna be MUCH BETTER next year, I JUST KNOW IT!…starting with ringing in the New Year in just a few days!!! (& in your time zone!) ~xoxo
Thanks Speedy! We love you too!
Oh, Shawn!
Have I told you lately how much I love you?!
You have always been one of Gramma Ev’s biggest fans.
And you’re stinking adorable!
I know what you’ve been through this year, and how brutal it’s been.
But I also know you have a light at the end of the proverbial tunnel!
We are going to have an amazing 2011~
I KNOW IT!
xoxoxoxoxox
Oh I am so so excited to see Ant Evelyn. This is just wonderful news Meleah…I was really concerned. Speedy is right you do have a very cool family. Happy belated birthday to your dad. I am so glad you shared this with us.
Big hugs and much love!
Jackie:-)
ahaaaa.. great Christmas/Birthday for Dad..love the “gag” present..:)
Your parties and family get-togethers always seem like so much fun.
I was smiling from ear to ear looking at these wonderful photos and reading your words!
My heart forever swells when I see images of your family, because I can always feel the LOVE you share.
“Her tough exterior came crumbling down when she burst into tears and started sobbing…..”
I got SO choked up reading that.
And then when I saw the photo of her smiling, I got choked up again.
So glad to hear you had a wonderful Christmas, dear friend!
There’s nothing like a big Italian Christmas gathering, is there?
Food, drink, laughter….food, drink, laughter….
X
Dear Meleah,
That sounds just perfect! I am so glad you had a wonderful day with your family. Merry Christmas to you, and very happy New Year!
Ann T.
Obviously, a good time was had by all! You’re so lucky to have that huge family around you, Meleah!
What a perfect Christmas. How blessed you are to have such a wonderful family. Love the photo of your dad in his birthday bling. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Jackie. It was a REAL treat to see her again.
My daddy went Ghetto!
That’s cuz they are!
🙂
Aw! Thanks, Ron.
I cried MY FACE OFF when Evelyn broke down after seeing the kids.
My Uncle Rick and I are pretty emotional people to begin with. So when that
happened? He and I couldn’t even LOOK at each other for at least an hour!
Italian Christmases totally ROCK THE CASBAH!
xoxo
Welcome Back Ann T!
Its been a while since you’ve been here.
Hope all is well with you?
Thanks, Boom Boom.
I know, I am TRULY lucky.
🙂
Ghetto Daddy cracks me up!
Awwww! Such a nice smile too! Good to hear your family enjoyed Christmas so much and your Dad had a great birthday! But .. what is my Auntie Babs doing among you? If it’s not her it must be her double! LOL!
Ahahahahahahaah! Thanks Jay.
And well, they do say everyone has a ‘twin’ somewhere!
Ahahahahahahaah! Thanks Jay.
And well, they do say everyone has a ‘twin’ somewhere!
I am so glad to see both Gramma Evelyn and Poppa Sye looking so well. Oh, that is just fabulous. Looks you had a marvellous day. Your Dad is the coolest hip hop dude evah!
I was THRILLED to see everyone.
And of course my dad had an amazing birthday.
Thanks Selma!
What a rocking good time. Sounds & looks like you had a fantabulous time.
Glad to see Gramma Ev and Poppa Sye able to make the shindig. Ev is looking good and holdling her own. I know it warms everyone’s heart to see her up and moving again. Just goes to show that you can’t keep a good girl down.
Looks like you guys had a great time. Hope the snow/weather is not ruining any of your plans to celebrate.
Any your daddy looks Getto Fabulous.
Ahahahha ” Getto Fabulous”!
Yes, he does!
And – as for the weather?
We are currently having a massive blizzard right now!
Thanks Agg!
🙂
Gangsta Daddy is hysterical!! Looks like you had an amazing Christmas, and it also seems like you are feeling much better. I’m so glad!
I have to ask though…how do you not weigh 300 lbs with all of that awesome food around?!
Loved the pictures! Loved this post! So heartfelt, I feel all warm and fuzzy.
Oh, well, that’s easy, Nicky.
I don’t gain weight because of Crohn’s and food allergies.
I cant eat most of it. And what I can eat usually makes me sick.
If I had a normal system, I WOULD totally weigh at least 500 pounds!
xoxoxo
Thank you, Sandra! It was a wonderful holiday!
Very awesome. I can just imagine how crazy things must be, with your dad’s birthday falling on Christmas Eve! Christmas is crazy enough, even without a birthday celebration thrown into the mix. It looks like you all had a great time. The photo of your gangsta’ dad cracks me up. Good to see Gramma Ev smiling as well.
your house seems like so much fun and your dad is a riot. looks like you all had a super time. love the pics.
I fear I’m going to become Gramma Ev, so from this day forth I shall smile wide for the camera.
Looks like you had a whole bunch of fun and it is nice when you get a special moment! Merry Christmas and I hope 2011 treats you well!!
Love this post Meleah ! Happy Birthday to you Daddy – and it’s so great seeing Poppa Sye looking so healthy.
Great read Meleah, as always – keep the holiday cheer going on 🙂
Oh the month of December is NUTS at my house, but the fun we have makes it
totally worth it!
Thanks Valerie!
Gramma Ev rocks!
Thanks Lucy! You too!
Aw. Thanks Robin.
Hope all is well with you too!
xoxo
Will do!
I’m glad to see you were finally feeling well enough to enjoy the festivities. It looks like you and your family had a great time. It’s great to see Granmma Eve doing so well.
I’m glad to see you were finally feeling well enough to enjoy the festivities. It looks like you and your family had a great time. It’s great to see Granmma Eve doing so well.
Thanks Jim. It was a GREAT day for EVERYONE!
What a fun Christmas! (But frankly, after having perhaps 35 of them at my house, I”m glad I am not doing that anymore. Your family is awesome!
it really always does seem like you have one of the coolest families around 🙂
hope you are having a great holiday, sexy! 🙂
Thanks Linda!
We host every year, and every year, its a lot of work!
However, it’s totally worth it.
Thanks Slyde.
My family IS awesome!
As always a fun time at your place!
Drunk vermin!!! I love it
I have a house full all week. Loving it!
4 generations here.
Hope you good times continue into the new year!
Oh I love a house-full!
Enjoy Oscar!
🙂