So much to tell, so little time to sit and write...this will have to be in installments.

Christmas Eve went off without a hitch, despite the fact that I was unable to make fudge, pecan crispies or coconut bars.  We filled the crowd up with mimosas and sangria and no one noticed the dearth of treats.

Katie came over in the afternoon, we worked on finishing up the wrapping, cleaning and cooking.  Due to in-law demands, some of the families weren't expected to come; it would be a small gathering of 25.  Most were expected around 5:30 or 6 o'clock.

We girls popped in Mama Mia! at 5:00 to entertain us while we waited.

"What are you doing?" Jay asked.  "You'll have to turn that off when people come, you can't sit and watch a movie when we have company!"

He knows he has to explain social behavior to me; I have no social instincts.

"No," Katie said "When you have company you're only allowed to have football on."

Well, the first to arrive were Bob and Maureen, whose daughter, Sara, bailed on us and opted to spend Christmas in Mexico.

"What are you watching?" Maureen asked.  When we told her, she shrieked "Oh, I LOVE that movie!" and she ran in and sat down next to Josie.  Ten minutes later, Pam, Steve, Phannie, Matt and Pete showed up.

"What are you watching?" Pam asked.  We told her and she cried "OH, I LOVE THAT MOVIE!"  and she grabbed a chair next to Maureen.  A half an hour later, all the guys were in the kitchen and dining room, eating and all the gals were in the tv room, singing and dancing to "Does Your Mother Know?". 

That's a good way to start a party.

Everyone brought food to go with the giant pot of gumbo and the chicken wings Jay had been cooking all afternoon.  The whole island and table were covered with food and we ate a ton of it.

Matt came without Janelle, who opted to stay home with the twins so as not to expose them to whatever cases of sniffles or coughs the crowd may come up with.  Frank and Brandy didn't make the long drive into town, either, although Tim, Mary Lou, John and Jake did show up, unexpectedly.  They didn't stay for too long, as it was actually the year to spend with Mary Lou's side of the family, but I'm really glad they made an appearance.  So, we had no new babies here after all, but Sophie was in fine form and filled the 'tiny tot' role to perfection.  What's cuter than a three year old girl decked out in her Christmas finery?  Nothing, that's what. 

Our friends, Dick and Jan came, which Jay knew but was a nice surprise for me.  Jan, who had never attended a Pivec Christmas Eve, had been warned ahead of time what to expect, so when a fist fight erupted between Pam and Maureen, at the other end of the couch Jan was sitting on, Jan wasn't too concerned.

Pam won the fight, as everyone knew she had the law on her side; she rolled doubles just before the buzzer sounded, so Maureen was honor bound to give up the fleece pullover she had just stolen from Patty. 

Okay, there weren't any actual fists  thrown.  We aren't animals.

But still, it's pretty darned entertaining to watch two grandma's fight over a sweatshirt. 

After the food had been eaten and the presents opened, some folks plopped down to watch Ratatouie in the tv room, while others chose to gather near the tree, listening to Christmas Carols and chatting.  We missed Tyler, who has never spent a Christmas away from home before, and Eric, who has been here for the past three years or so.  Tom, Kelly and the girls showed up late, they had been with Kelly's family.  Some of our party had already gone off to late church and our kids had ducked out to my sister's house where remnants of the Hubbell Christmas Eve party was still taking place.  All in all we wound up with 32 guests at our house, but not all at the same time.

I talked to Tyler around ten. He was spending the night at the home of a buddy from work.  They had had a lovely dinner and were having a good old time.  I spoke to the lady of the house. As I remember it, she had had a bit to drink and was busy assuring me that Tyler was more than welcome and that they'd take good care of him.  I laughed at everything she said and thanked her for taking my boy in.  Apparently she got off the phone and told Tyler that I'd threatened to kick her ass if Ty didn't have a good time.  Fortunately he didn't believe her for an instant.  He had a great time with them and spent the night and opened presents with them in the morning.  I'm glad. 

The best phone call of the night came a little later, but I'm out of time.