I can't even count the years we've been celebrating Christmas Eve with our next door neighbor's, the Hanson's. It's been a long standing tradition. Montse and Carl used to join us too, but they live in Spain now. We always think of them and this year we got to talk to Montse on the phone! Everyone is fabulous in Girona! Speaking of other cultures, my mom stayed true to the northern italian Christmas cuisine and prepared Seven Fishes Stew (the name does it no justice). It was beyond delicious. There are seven fishes to represent the seven sacraments. We laughed over the dinner table trying to name all the sacraments. Sasha finally "googled" them (clearly, we are not catholic). Seven fishes stew was made up of scallops, mussels, squid, cod, crab, clams, shrimp, and oysters based in a light tomato broth. YUM! Good work, Mom! You are my favorite cook!
Here is my mom with her Christmas Eve dessert. This year it was a plum cake.
After we finished up our meal together it wasn't long before the Hanson's arrived. Sam, Tom, and Louisa are the children of Annie and Harry. I used to babysit Sam and Tom when they were toddlers! Now they are like family. Mina's first marriage was to Sam quite a few years back and I bound them as husband and wife in our living room. I think she was 5 ;) Fun memories together! Since Nicole was in Michigan with Dave, Louisa played the piano while we sang. She was great! Look at those boys sing!
Louisa commented on how intimidating it was to play while everyone was leaning over her...
Ava was totally freaked out by the singing! She was so serious and curious throughout, even when we sang Frosty the Snowman! I guess, if you've never experienced caroling it can be a bit strange and overwhelming, especially with all the enthusiasm those Hanson boys bring! Check out Annie's elf hat behind us! So cute!
Mina & Sash, such a cute couple!
...trying to encourage Ava to relax a little, this is supposed to be fun, silly :)
Our little family. warm and cozy.
Fa la la la la la la la la la!
Good singing everyone! Great effort by all!
We all find great amusement in this tradition. Dad and Harry always seem like they are having secret competitions on who can annunciate the song the loudest and most manliest!
Thanks for celebrating with us everyone! See you tomorrow night!
Here is my mom with her Christmas Eve dessert. This year it was a plum cake.
After we finished up our meal together it wasn't long before the Hanson's arrived. Sam, Tom, and Louisa are the children of Annie and Harry. I used to babysit Sam and Tom when they were toddlers! Now they are like family. Mina's first marriage was to Sam quite a few years back and I bound them as husband and wife in our living room. I think she was 5 ;) Fun memories together! Since Nicole was in Michigan with Dave, Louisa played the piano while we sang. She was great! Look at those boys sing!
Louisa commented on how intimidating it was to play while everyone was leaning over her...
Ava was totally freaked out by the singing! She was so serious and curious throughout, even when we sang Frosty the Snowman! I guess, if you've never experienced caroling it can be a bit strange and overwhelming, especially with all the enthusiasm those Hanson boys bring! Check out Annie's elf hat behind us! So cute!
Mina & Sash, such a cute couple!
...trying to encourage Ava to relax a little, this is supposed to be fun, silly :)
Our little family. warm and cozy.
Fa la la la la la la la la la!
Good singing everyone! Great effort by all!
We all find great amusement in this tradition. Dad and Harry always seem like they are having secret competitions on who can annunciate the song the loudest and most manliest!
Wow, that soup looks so good I want to eat it off the computer and that cake is so beautiful! No wonder why you are such a great cook too. Kinda crazy that your neighbors were the Hanson's before and Scott and Kekoa's last name is Hanson too! We were destined to live next door to each other! :)
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