Happy Birthday to Me

Last of the "Power Posts"

My birthday falls on New Year's Eve so I always get a double celebration.

I met my family for breakfast at Mimi's, enjoyed some light shopping

and then went to see the movie

It's Complicated (loved it)

That evening, Kevin and I were lucky enough to be invited to our

dear friends Kris and Greg's to not only celebrate the New Year but my birthday as well.

Kris, in her usual Kris fashion (she is the hostess

with the mostest and the best cook) made us

feel like the King and Queen of New Years Eve.

We started with a beverage and

some amusing banter.  (we are so

amusing we always enjoy amusing banter)

and then the eating festivities began.

We began our eating pleasure with caprese skewers

served with a delicious balsamic vinegarette.

Aren't these pretty.... I shall be copying.

Do you think she'll let me borrow that cute serving dish too?

As if that wasn't enough, we sat down

to a feast of salmon, asparagus, salad, rolls and the

cutest little potato (actually it was the cutest big potato).

Here's the meal in natural light.  It looks just as good doesn't it?

Last minute serving by the Chef

Wine poured by her able bodied assistent

Kevin is so eager he is all ready to dig in.

The table was a feast for the eyes.  It was gorgeous.

Do you see all of the gold and riches on the table?

That signifies prosperity for the New Year.
I love that tradition

And of course since we were also celebrating New Years Eve

we had special noise makers at our places.

Kris... here is a side note.  I know how much

work it is to put on a dinner, and that makes

this evening even more special to me that you

 would go to so much effort to make this evening so perfect for us
me.

Oh so pretty.

Don't you love that cloth and those cute napkin rings?

I got to take this gold coin necklace home...not.  This was

a gift to Kris from her dad years ago.  I think he

would have enjoyed seeing it on her table.

Just beautiful..

As it got closer to midnight we began

to anticipate a little treat. 

None of us had ever had Dom Perignon before so we

were very excited.

Kevin and Greg welcomed it like it was a dear friend.

It got a special place in the ice bucket.

And I even liked the label.

Greg did the honors since he is the champagne man.

and we did the tasting.

We were surprised at how bubbly it was... hence the term

bubbly....tee hee.

I hope Greg and Kris add this to their cork collection

I love this pic of Kris and Kevin.. it shows how

much fun we had.

Greg didn't really need us... the champagne was fun

enough for him :)

and of course Kris can't be trusted with an open bottle

of champagne.   I think she needs another resolution

on her list.

and then as fast as my birthday started it was over

and it was time to welcome in the New Year.

But before we do that...we must eat my birthday cake.

Carrot Cake my favorite....

Thank you Kris and Greg for being such
great friends and for the wonderful evening.
Happy New Year.
PS... A little birdie told me that your house was as cold
as a tomb.  I just want to go on record and say between
the tree Kevin put in the fireplace and those
nice warm blankies, I didn't notice a thing  ;)

Thank you both again...and we look

forward to making new memories with you in 2010.

Christmas Eve Table

Since this is a "Power Post" to get it all in I wanted to share my

Christmas Eve table.  I loved this table.

I did it in whites, silver and black.  The black made it quite striking,

in fact in would have made a great

New Year's Eve table as well.

I loved the tulips I found. Beautiful white tulips

that were perfect with my whites, silver trees and my crystal reindeer.

I found these black candles with silver Christmas trees and rhinestones at Kohls... that's where my inspiration came from.

Everyone loved this table too.  It was very sparkly and different.

A few grazing reindeer

 And a few of the V.I.P. guests.

Don't they look sweet in their pretty dresses?

And of course Christmas Eve wouldn't be complete without

Pop Pop reading us all The Three Trees.

Christmas Morning

Since I plan on binding this blog for the year or actually since it's conseption, I decided to include although late, some Christmas pictures. Our Christmas was a bit on the crazy side this year.

and as I post this I noticed I didn't have time to take
many pictures.  I also missed pictures of Laurie
which I need to remedy. 

We started Christmas Eve morning with breakfast burritos and the best Bloody Marys in the world (courtesy of Kristi).

Joy, Dave, Delores, Kristi, Riley and Madison

joined my mom and me for our early morning festivities.

Don't tell anyone but,

it was my way of bribing them into helping me prepare some of the

meals I would be serving.

As is our other tradition...the men played golf.

Kevin, Sean, Tim and Jim

headed out to the golf course with their fair share

of Bloody Marys (also compliments of Kristi)

Stacy, James and Bella showed up at the house around 3:00.

They flew into Orange County,

grabbed a car and headed home.

We were so excited to see them, but barley had time to visit.

At 5:00 we were all sitting at Christmas Eve service

which was wonderful.

The place was packed with families and tons of kids on the verge of letting loose.

We enjoyed a great message and a reminder to count

our many blessings.

Back to the house for dinner and beverages.

Our Christmas Eve menu was:

Cheese enchiladas

Carne asada (grilled by Kevin)

Peggy's chicken enchiladas (prepared by Kristi)

Beans and Rice

Chips and Salsa

And the usual over amount of sweets and desserts

That evening after dinner as is our usual
tradition...Santa pays us a visit.  Somehow on his way to delivering

to all of the good little boys and girls he manages to stop off and deliver some

special Christmas PJ's to all the good boys and girls

at the Kelley house.

So with all fed and watered the grown ups
play and the kiddies head off to sleep.

Next morning we started all over again.  The Rush's and elder Kelleys headed back over

and the present opening fest began.

Stacy and Bella

The Vanderheiden Family

Tim and Madison.... Madison was just taking in the scene.   I'm

not sure Tim was all the way awake.

We were also joined by the Arizona Kiefer's

This was a nice treat to have us all

together.

Kasey and Tom

Ryan sporting his new Indiana Jones Hat...with Diane

in the background

Beautiful Bella

A few crazies attacking Kristi

Our FU (favorite uncle) Frank

The elders...Delores, Mom and Jim taking in all of the craziness
with Joy and half of Dave in the background.
or as I like to call them the Paparazzi

Kevin and Sean above and Tinker Bell aka Bella below

Me and Madison having a few laughs

Cousins sharing a moment

Tim, man with a mission...take as much video as you can,
without taking any of your mother in law.



I think he failed since I am so loud and obnoxious... Here's Madi





and the other videographer, James .... these guys were busy





and Riley... what's up with the hat... it isn't even a Christmas present.

After gifts we enjoyed a lovely brunch.
Everyone went home to regroup and I headed
back to the kitchen to start our dinner.

Thanks to a houseful of family that wasn't such a chore.
Later that day we enjoyed:

Prime rib with horseradish
Garlic mashed potatoes
Asparagus
Spinach salad
Garlic Bread

and that doesn't even list the lovely appetizers and
desserts. 
After gaining 20 lbs each
I declare Christmas a huge success... I had
a blast and I hope everyone else had a great time
too.