Walter's Christmas Party

Every year my Mom's side of the family gets together for a Christmas party. When I was little this party was always on Christmas Eve but as our family grew and people were getting pulled in lots of different directions we decided to start having the party the weekend before Christmas. This past Friday was our party. My mom is one of 8 children so I have a TON of cousins who now have their own children so needless to say it is quite a gathering.

When I was growing up my Aunt Barb always had the party at her house on Christmas Eve. This was the BEST night of the year. I can vividly recall her tiny house in Maplewood with a ton of people crammed into their basement. I remember ducking my head to get down the steps and having the best night in their unfinished, decorated basement. We always had a pinata and we always danced until late in the night. My cousin Belinda and I would always perform our famous dance to "Greased Lightening"..ha! I remember falling asleep on the way home and getting carried inside and waking up to Christmas morning. I also remember the first Christmas that Aaron and I were dating and each family was asked to put together a skit or dance. Aaron did a lip sync/dance to Elvis' Heartbreak Hotel. My Grandma, a huge Elvis fan, wanted me to marry him right on the spot! It was hilarious. What great memories!

We took a picture of my aunts and uncles this year and named it "The 7 Dwarfs" since my tallest uncle is about 5'8. The 8th dwarf, my Aunt Nancy lives in Texas so she wasn't able to make it in this year but she is short too! When I started dating Aaron he looked like a giant!

I am so grateful to have such a close knit family that enjoys getting together and remembering old times. I love them all so much and hope we all have many more years of Christmas Parties.