Christmas Eve...

Christmas Eve has always meant one thing in our family - food, fun and fellowship. And LOTs of each. Our location may have changed and the people that we spend time with has varied, but these three things remain the same. Just like the good book of Italians tells us. 

We were prepping for a full house for Christmas Day which meant lots and lots and lots of this...

I'm pretty sure we had 15 pounds of meat to make meatballs. And Pops and those kids rolled every single one while Gigi fried away. My job is much more involved - I'm the taste tester/photographer. 

I know, it's exhausting.

Please tell me if you can find cuter su chefs because I bet that you can't. 

Landry did pretty great for her first time - she made mini meatballs which are all the rage. Bite sized anything is trendy these days - she is so on top of it. 

That plate kept filling up and so did our bellies. We operate from a Blue Bell philosophy of eating all we can and then sharing the rest. 

And then something non-traditional happened. Some very special guests arrived all the way from California!!!! Radley was so shocked that his reaction when he opened the door was...

"Oh. Hi. Ummmm... Yeah. HIIII Uncle Jody. And Aunt Sonya. And Cousin Owen. Hi."

Such a man.

But he was overjoyed - he had been praying for and asking about when he would get to see Owen again. And his Christmas wish came true. They immediately ran outside to enjoy the sunshine filled afternoon of a Texas Christmas. 

And poor Sonya immediately set up shop helping roll the remaining meatballs. Her work never ends. 

Soon it was time for Christmas Eve mass - my favorite of the year. 

Everyone got their Christmas wish this year.

Even if Landry's face doesn't look like it.

HA!

This was the first time Jody has been in Texas for Christmas Day in nearly 20 years. I can't even believe that - how has it been that long?! We were so thrilled to have them here and so thankful that Sonya pulled off the surprise. It was her first Christmas Day EVER away from her Momma and Daddy which I'm sure wasn't easy, so thanks, Sis!

Now onto to Christmas...