Christmas Eve: Let Chaos Reign

Christmas Eve is my favorite day of the year. My extended family gathers at my grandparents' house and decks the halls with good cheer, much wine, amazing food and lots of complete chaos. My boys go crazy at the chance to be loved up by their cousins for hours and hours. There is much laughter, a lot of running and giggling, some games, a whole lot of Wii challenges and always, our traditional Italian feast made special by Nana.

The boys partied the night away and set the record for bedtime - 9:30 pm. It was hard to tear any of us away from the celebration with family. Aidan was huddled with his cousin Patrick, learning moves for his new skateboard. Brennan was engaged in tickling contests with his cousins Casey and Bridget. And Griffin was cruising around the house on his new Star Wars scooter, entertaining everyone with his favorite phrase "No Way Jose." Chris and I, on the other hand, had many a battle over Wii tennis. (The end result wasn't pretty. And not in our favor either.)

Above all, each and every time I am among my family, I feel blessed to know each of them, to love them and to see them love my children. (Even if my brothers and my cousins kicked my ass in Wii tennis and trash talked through the whole beatings. Even then.