Christmas - part 2

Christmas Eve, we gathered as the immediate Cousino clan (which gets less and less immediate). I think we are at 25 now for those immediate family things. Anyway, we started out with a family picture, thanks to yours truly, the family photo nazi. This year Lindsey got to be in the pic for the first time (once you're engaged you're eligible for participation in said photo as decreed by said photo nazi). So... the last few years, Lindsey took the pic, so this year we were back to my tripod and camera... we set up a big mirror so the little kids could smile at themselves (since there was no one behind the camera to watch). I would push the timer button, run, climb up on piano bench, and try to look relaxed before the beeping quicked and the camera flashed. It was a workout :) Anyway, I'm quite pleased with the result... see for yourselves.

After the photo, we had an appetizers dinner, and opened gifts between all the siblings. Thankfully, we draw names between siblings and inlaws. Owen got me a great new pair of LLBean slippers, just what I wanted, and a dark chocolate bar... very nice. Kathleen liked her gift from me of knee high boots. The nieces and nephews generally liked their homemade gifts, which i was able to finish at the last moment :) Mostly it was fun to spend time together, amid the craziness, and celebrate the birth of our Lord. After the gifting, several of us rushed off for 8 pm Mass at CTK, which was absolutely beautiful. I love Christmas Mass!!