Christmas Comes Early

Last night our family did our "Christmas Eve"--yes I know it was only December 16th so don't ask. But we did have a blast! All the cousins were there, there was lots of drinking, laughter, singing Christmas carols, the traditional matching pajamas, a very big surprise and even some gambling! Before dinner we all sat around and played Left, Right, Center which was hysterical. I didn't win anything but we had fun. Then it came time to get our big cousins' gift which Uncle Jack and Aunt Anne were in charge of this year. Last year we all got to go to dinner and a play and I couldn't wait to know what this year's was. So Uncle Jack got up and asked me to stand with him for a little demo. He gave me an apron and a chef's hat and told us all that we are going to an Italian cooking school! How awesome is that! All 15 of us (one cousin now has a new girlfriend so we're one up on our 14 from last year) are getting a private lesson where we plan a menu and make an appetizer, dinner and dessert. And since drinks must always be included in the cousins' gift, he also made sure that we get to have wine when we do this. How cool is that? I've always wanted to take cooking lessons so I am psyched.
After this was announced we all got on our aprons and hats and headed outside for the group photo...too funny. Then we decided to do some drunk caroling on the block and headed over to our neighbor Dominic's, knocked on his door (10:30 at night) and sing Deck the Halls. He was very amused, not sure about the rest of the neighbors though.
Oh and then there was the big surprise. My cousin Mike and his wife Terry are expecting their first baby this June! Very exciting news for them and us. Can't wait to have another munchkin running around next year.
Then it was time to say goodbye but some of us headed over to my place for the after party which ended about 2am when Amy passed out...hehe