Christmas Eve 2008

For a quarter of century we have been getting together with family and friends on Christmas Eve. The celebration starts with Christmas Eve Mass at St. Monica's church in Santa Monica. St. Monica's always does beautiful Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services with lovely decorations and singing.

Yesterday, we attended the 4 p.m. Mass. There were only three of us this year. Usually there are some eight of us who attend this Mass. After Mass, we gathered at our home for dinner, followed by a white elephant exchange gift, and followed by Christmas caroling. The gifts are silly and the singing loud and bad.

Here are pictures of the group last night.

Merry Christmas to all! And stay tuned, dear Readers, stay tuned!

Those who attended, in random order: Elizabeth, John, Dan, Heather Allen; Pat and Sarah Zavateros, Mike, Linda Ross; Allan, Christy Lin; Lauren, Alex, Andrew, Robert Brainard, Joana Campos, Doug Noble, Margie and Chris Sowers, and Moi. Some were missing, opting to be in France or Hawaii instead of rainy Santa Monica. I must not forget dear Kiki the Cat who miraculously presented herself last night. Usually she stays away especially when there are children around. As much as I love the cat, she is somewhat bitchy and detests children; it's their unpredictable movements that she fears.