Saturday, December 31, 2011

Christmas Part II

Thought I’d give you the last of the 2011 “Christmas”

I promise…

(Although I am really hoping to get some really juicy New Year’s Eve and New Year’s day pics..)

In the mean time we were cordially invited to my Sister in law

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( Mr R’s sister ) and her new husband’s home to celebrate Christmas.

They live in England so we don’t get to celebrate with them very often.

It was great getting together.

As you can see.. she has started this marriage off right…DSC_0865 Get Get some help in the kitchen whenever possible..

He’s a Diamond Geyser he is..

Mr R and his peanut girl just chillaxing..

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She does double duty with the other man in her life.DSC_0870

Speaking of men in our lives.. Grandpa seems pretty happy !

DSC_0871Why wouldn’t he… look at this beautiful table with food starting to pile up on it..DSC_0872Mr R… Being silly..DSC_0873

Ya gotta love a face like that..DSC_0876

Well … Well… Well.. look who seems to have the most gifts…DSC_0877

No wonder he wanted to get things moving along…DSC_0887

Sneaky one he is…

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I know..

It’s lovely isn’t it?

Daughter and Father… DSC_0888capturing the moment.

The wine critic seems duly impressed with his gift … courtesy of his Grandson and Granddaughter in North Carolina.DSC_0892

Here’s to ya !!!

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Next the newlyweds opened up some gifts..

DSC_0894Maria found these vintage maps…

One of the United States.. and other of downtown London.. How appropriate.DSC_0900

Bly me… these blokes are lovely…

That's not really what he said but in my mind.. That's what I'm sure he'd say....

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Would you like some cheese and crackers to go with that whine?… ugh.. I mean wine.

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In the same shop that Maria found the vintage maps.. I found a set of gorgeous vintage glasses.. Wine, Martini, and Shot…

I have to admit.. I SO….wanted to keep those buggers for my self.. but.. it’s Christmas..

They're newly married.... I gave in.

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Mike and Maria showing off some of their gifts.DSC_0915

While Matt.. well Matt fought the wrap…… and the wrap won..DSC_0929

Finally !!

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Mr R admires his lovely English Cap..DSC_0940

Then suddenly got all ghetto on us…hmmmm

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After dinner…. Gifts … and desserts..

Some of the crew settled in for a lovely heart warming game of “KING OF TOKYO”.DSC_0945

It’s Christmas … what else would you play?

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Legend has it that there is a missing scene from the classic

“It’s a Wonderful Life” its a wonderful life tv

Where George and Mary sit down with Mr Potter and Uncle Billy …in the scene they play this very game..DSC_0943

unfortunately it never made it to the big screen.

Forced to languish on the cutting room floor..

It’ a fact.DSC_0944

Meh… Anyway.. while they pelted each other and regained control of Tokyo…

I sat back with what I was told was a “Proper” cup of English tea.DSC_0946

It was a pretty darn good cup of tea… but....Why is it that after each sip… I felt like I should be saying things like … Ello Govnr… or Pip Pip Cheerio ?!

We had a Wonderful time!! Christmas Part II was one to remember !!

Plans had been made for some of us to meet up again a few days later.. this time for Sushi and a movie..

( Must be all the King of Tokyo they played?)

We ventured out to a place in Brighton called Sagano

Lovely… Lovely Sushi!DSCN5923

I mean we had some of the best sushi I’ve eaten in a long time.DSCN5924

I think the owner was a little surprised at how much we ordered.

Little did he know a certain Brit was stocking up on this stuff….Stocking up as in just enough to fill him.. but not quite enough to kill him.DSCN5925

Maria is preggers.. and not willing to dive into raw fish.

So…

She opted for the Tempura dinner… OMG !!!!
It was a feast for the eyes … as well as the tummy !!

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After dinner we waddled over to the theater to see War Horse.

I have to say….The movie is very well done….Some scenes were a bit rough to watch as the horse gets painfully injured, however all in all very good movie.

I give it a rousing two wasabi / ginger laced thumbs up!

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I tell you. The Food… The Fun… The Family… The Film.. It all but did me in.

It’s been a great holiday season for sure.. and… It’s not quite over yet.. We are heading over to my brother and sister in laws house for New Year’s Eve.. Followed by Football… Beer and Chili as the main attraction here on Sunday.

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It’s not easy trying to pardy hardy at my age…lol

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Last of the Parrrrtaaaaaays…

Holy Moly and sweet baby Jesus..

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This has been a year of parrrrtaaays…

Last night was my last Non Family Christmas party before Christmas, and it was a blast.

I thought I’d share some of the fun things and people I have had the pleasure of enjoying the holidays with.

I feel blessed to have each and everyone of them in my life.

* Note. Sorry to say I don’t have any pictures of our annual

Old Friends and Spouse's Party held at Don and Lesley’s.

I had great intentions.. My camera was with me.. but I was having such a good time.. I never got a shot off.. sorry.
(John.. I may have to nab some of yours)

Anyway… I hope everyone of you knows how much I love and care for you … and having you in my life means so much to me..

You have each changed me …. Some even for the better…lol

Merry Christmas and Happy Happy New Year.

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This last set of pictures was from last night’s  get together…We three kings..( queens) have been gathering for this event for over 20 years..

It’s only fitting that it be the last parrrtay of the  season before the family gathers… I had a great time !!DSC_0745

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Michael and his girlfriend Kayla  stuck around long enough to take a few pictures of us.. so it’s only right I return the favor.DSC_0750

Ya Ya’s  lovely tree…

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Fake pose of Ya Ya looking at her lovely tree.

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Another fake pose this time with Lesley looking at Ya Ya’s lovely tree..

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And so it goes… Nala  the singing pit bull joined in for some holiday singing..

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Tazo Tea !!!

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OH…. MY…. GOSH !!..   I LOVE  Kitchen Spice

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Panera Gift card… do these girls know me or what?

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So… so… true.. Being together IS… the best gift ever.DSC_0769

Ya Ya looks genuinely surprised !

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Lesley actually wanted an American Girl Doll.. Too Bad..lolDSC_0776

In the end I think? they were happy…DSC_0777

After all they had a girls gone wild moment.DSC_0778

The rest of the night was filled with a lot of relaxing … talking…DSC_0784 and Bailey’s.. (Which probably caused a lot of the talking…)

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We even wore out poor Nala..DSC_0782

It was a great night…

I feel SO SO blessed to have so many wonderful people in my life… A lot weren’t even pictured.. but you mean the world to me.

Tell the ones you love .. how much you loved them.. They are  our greatest blessing in life.

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Merry Christmas everyone !!