Christmas Eve 2008

Christmas Eve began with John and I attending Christmas Eve mass at St. Francis of Assisi. I have to say that this was probably the first time that I ever attended Christmas mass without my family. So it was my first married Christmas mass AND the first mass without my family. What’s even weirder was that my sister attended mass with her bf at another mass as well. My family ended up attending 3 different churches for mass. Oh well, it was bound to happen some time.

After mass, John and I headed his Aunt’s house for his side’s Christmas celebration. We were ill prepared. We had planned for his side’s Christmas party being on Christmas Day, so it threw our whole schedule off. Ahhh!! Anyway, we went to his aunt’s house and hung out there. We stuffed ourselves with Vietnamese food, yum! We (read: everyone else but me) played Rock Band World Tour. Then afterwards we played Trivial Pursuit, boys versus girls. And of course, the girls won. We actually kicked butt. We didn’t stay too long because we had to drive from SJ to Dublin for my dad’s side celebration. But of course before we left we took some pictures.

John’s family, his aunt and two cousins, and his brother’s gf

Us with John’s family (which he likes to call my family now)

Me and my SILs

Once it hit 10pm, we were off to Dublin with my family to celebrate the eve with my dad’s side of the family. Of course it was another feast. Eating, eating eating. But before we got to the Christmas Carols and the present opening, we started by singing Happy birthday to my aunt and my cousin who had December birthdays.

The birthday celebrants

After the birthday cake which was delicious, it was time for family portraits. I like doing them every year because you see how everyone grows. I used to hate taking pictures when I was little because it cut into my play time, but now that I’m older, I appreciate that we take the time every year to do it.

My Uncle and his family. Don’t you love how the guys matched

My Aunt and her daughters

My uncle was asleep on the couch, but I wanted to include him in the picture taking. Ha!

And my family…I look like such a heffer, but my family looks beautiful.

My beautiful little cousins. Aren’t they cute! My flower girls and bible bearer.

My grandparents and their grandkids

Our First Married Christmas

Now just the grandkids

My siblings and I

We ended up staying the night. I chose not to take pictures of the kids opening up their presents this year because I was too lazy. It was fun playing with the kiddies. They’re just so full of energy and inquisitive. They’re at the age where they love being swung around. And I was stoked when my youngest cousin called John “Kuya John” which is the respectful way to address an older brother/cousin. I was just excited that she was able to remember his name, let alone say Kuya. It was really cute. I made sure to ask her again what John’s name was at NY. Overall, it was an awesome Christmas Eve.