Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Christmas Review: Part 2 - Do We Have to Eat Fish?

I adore the youngins of the family.

My niece Lauren with Hope ...



My niece Caitlin modeling the coat I got her ...



And my baby with his baby ...




Lauren did an incredible job cooking and decorating. Fish is supposed to be the main meal according to Brooklyn law but Lauren made lots of other good stuff.

I imagine you all expect some comedy and snark but it's too difficult to do without directing it at a particular person - something I'm working on not doing for Hope's sake.

I did leave early and the drive back was uneventful - I even got to speed a bit.

Next post we'll find out all the things wrong with, and all the problems building the gift Nana bought. Don't worry, it's a happy ending.

34 comments:

Sparkling Red said...

That pink coat is rad! I especially like the avant-garde, matching nasal accessory.

Happy Elf Mom (Christine) said...

Awww... Nana is a good Nana. She's picking out some great gifts as well.

May God bless you for the gift you are giving your son and his wife... that of a gentle spirit and forgiveness.

Dianne, it is hard (!!) when our children disappoint us and/or don't appreciate us. I do understand in my own way.

I had no idea there was a fish rule in Brooklyn. When we lived in nearby Mt. Kisco/Chappaqua it was turkey with the relatives and the obligatory pitted black olives on the fingers of the young ones. :)

Doc said...

HOLY COW! Your niece looks exactly like a younger version of my wife's best friend Melanie!

Anonymous said...

I would love to see my baby with a baby..sigh..Nothing wrong with a little snark..snark makes the world go round...Michelle

Sleepypete said...

Not had fish for a while - must sort that :-)

We had fun this year putting together what we got for our Nan ... Let's just say that I wasn't the one who put the holes not just in the wall but out the other side :-)

Queen-Size funny bone said...

dad and daughter adorable

Sleepypete said...

PS Forgot to add - definite Vin Diesel resemblance coming in there :-)

OldLady Of The Hills said...

Hope looks so grown up already, I cannot get over it....! So "Fish" is the order of the day in Brooklyn. Hmmmmm. What happened to Turkey and Ham? LOL!

I look forward to more of your Christmas report, my dear.

Meanwhile....I wish you the Happiest of New Years and I hope 2010 will be a truly Healthy, Happy and Fun Filled Year....And throw in some Prosperity and you've got a wonderful Cocktail Mox for this coming year.

bobbie said...

come on - fish is gooood.

A beautiful photo of your two babies.

Dianne said...

sparkling - Caitlin is such a goof ball, in such a good way
she entertained Hope by wearing all sorts of wrapping stuff :)

mrs c - thank you for appreciating, it IS terribly hard, especially when the other party tries to push all my buttons.
our neighborhood in Brooklyn was mostly Italian immigrants and Christmas Eve was always fish, Jeffrey worked in a fish store all thru his teens
Rocky from across the street owned it, bless his heart - he was a good old tough guy who loved my son

doc - well then Melanie must be gorgeous ;)

rambling - it is a wonderful thing and I know you'd be a great Nana

pete - out the other side of the wall!? that's heavy duty ;)
Jeffrey has often been told he looks like Vin

queen size funny - thank you :)

old old lady of the hills - turkey and ham - and baked ziti is Christmas Day, fish is Christmas Eve
Hope sends hugs

bobbie - fish is good but not the Brooklyn Christmas way - too much squirmy things soaked in too much oil ;) and then swimming in sauce

Anonymous said...

As an original from the East Coast, fish is just fine for me anytime. The g'daughter of yours is simply sweet. Love her coat!! Son isn't bad looking either! Hugs. Tammy

Hilary said...

Your niece looks as cute as can be in that shocking pink coat. I miss being young and fashionable! :) I love the last shot of Father and Child... just beautiful.

Travis Cody said...

One of my favorite holiday memories is being up until 3am putting together a doll house, a HeMan play set, and a Millenium Falcon for my three cousins.

Another favorite is the year my nephew kept bringing me his new toys so I could put the decals on for him.

Good times!

And I'm very glad you're drive home was uneventful. You had enough events on the way over.

Linda Reeder said...

When I leave one of my big family gatherings, snarkiness has a way of creeping into the conversation on the way home. But I'm really trying to limit myself. Afterall, it was not me who took on the task of hosting 38 people!

Ron said...

Hi Lady Dianne!

Ok...first, I need to say how much I LOVE the coat you gave your niece. It's FLAWLESS! I love the color!

Second, the shots of Hope with Daddy are so precious! There is something about seeing a father holding his child that just touches me beyond words. It's like seeing strength and gentleness all-in-one.

I bet your son is a wonderful father.

The black and white shot says it all - LOVE.

Thanks for sharing, dear lady.

Thoroughly enjoyed this.

Looking forward to Part III.

X ya!

Unknown said...

What does the pink, fuzzy nostril cover, covering? hmmmmmmmmm??? :-D

I love, love, love that photograph of your gorgeous son with beautiful Hope. That is a keepsake.

Reb said...

I love the pink coat and the nose bow that matches...divine!

The b&w of Hope and Daddy is great.

Scott Oglesby said...

While my Italian family was still alive we used to have the traditional 7 course fish meal every Christmas eve. Of course with my family it was a lot more like 12 courses. And you’d better eat every one of them!

the walking man said...

sounds like a fish story is on the way.

Schmoop said...

I have a coat just like that. I look ravishing in it. Cheers Di!!

Anonymous said...

Sometimes it's worth it to paste a smile on our face and make the most of it.

The pics show just what a fab family gathering it was. Even if fish was on the menu (kidding). Loving the pics of Hope and her Daddy - special times and wonderful memories.

Daryl said...

I love it when family gets together ... cant wait to hear about the blooper moments ... xo

storyteller said...

What a lovely family you have! Wonderful Christmas photos are always a treasure ;-)
Hugs and blessings,

Melli said...

I love it when our grandchildren make us better people! Goooooo Hope! Nana's being GOOD - just for you! AMEN!

Can't wait to read the NEXT installment!

Raven said...

Sounds like it was a good Christmas by and large. Babies make Christmas fun, don't they? Looking forward to the construction story. Love that last photo! A treasure.

Akelamalu said...

Ah construction toys usually have a story to go with them! LOL

Love the photos Dianne. x

Knight said...

You're baby is so very handsome and his baby is beautiful. What a lovely family.

fullsoulahead.com said...

What a CUTE little baby!

Happy 2010!

dianasfaria.com said...

Hope is looking adorable as ever!
Glad you had a wonderful Christmas.
Happy New Year!
: )

ds said...

Gotta love the pink coat--and the bow nose (new trend?)! Baby Hope gets more adorable with every picture. Glad you had a good Christmas, with no traffic problems on the return trip.

Happy happy New Yeard!!

Ken said...

Wishing you and your whole family a wonderful New Year.

Bobkat said...

I really like the last photo of Hope and her dad. Lovely :)

Just dropped by to wish you a Happy New Year. I hope this one has more ups than downs and you have oodles of good things in store.

Schmoop said...

Happy New Year Hot Stuff. Cheers!!

kanishk said...

May God bless you for the gift you are giving your son and his wife... that of a gentle spirit and forgiveness.

Work from home India