Note: pictures in this article are in thumbnail form. Click on them to enlarge.

This past Christmas Eve found me at my Auntie Sharon’s place in Kaneohe, catching up with my aunties, uncles, cousins, & grandparents, something I haven’t had time or found time to do for awhile. I know; I suck. But I just finished editing 71 photos, & that’s not counting the ones I deleted, so cut me some slack. =)

While my grandfather set up his video camera, my cousins Mark & Matthew were getting a rather decadent-looking chocolate fountain going, although I think a lot of chocolate got intercepted on the way to the fountain. The chocolate took awhile to melt, but once it was flowing, it was… beautiful. Too bad I don’t eat chocolate.

My cousin Joy’s pug was dressed for the season (man, are your dogs tolerant!) & she even had plush antlers for it, pictured below. I used to think that dressing up one’s dogs was really dumb. Well, ok, maybe I still think it, but I think it was cold enough to warrant a little… dog clothes.

Joy has this other dog, a chihuahua named Buddy. I hate Buddy. I want to kick his ass. But yeah, he’s cute too. When he’s not attacking you. Little prick.

There’s something relaxing about being with your family. Relaxing enough to make you forget to fix your makeup when you take pictures. And then a few days later when you’re editing them you want to delete everything but the person you took the picture with is more important than how you look.

Well, so much for vanity.

Then we had the main event of the evening. Kudos to my brother.

Who should come walking down the driveway, but…

Santa Claus.

My cousin’s son was singing “Here Comes Santa Claus” like it was a charm. And it worked!

Joy’s pug impressed me further not only with his new Santa’s Helper outfit but with his ability to sit patiently in the chair next to Santa throughout Good Girl & Boy interviews. Not all the kids were convinced of Santa’s credentials, but… too bad. It’s the only way you’re going to get your presents, so play along.

But some kids still do believe in Santa Claus…

While other kids recognize the voice.

Santa took pictures with all the families, & then my nieces got their dad back.

The adults exchanged gifts. Dessert & coffee went around. Everyone sat around, talking, while the kids chased eachother around the house. We slowly went home, kissing everyone goodnight.

I’ll be back next weekend.