ho. ho. ho. hiccup.

merry merry merry.

yes- we were without blood relatives this christmas season.

no- we were not without an abundance of love, parties with friends and a really drunk santa.

jo and dean had us over to celebrate a little bit of the birth of our savior and a lotta dean's italian cooking skills. good heavens, that man's linguine and clam sauce is so good, baby jesus didn't mind the averted attention.

the kids played and ate and got to stay up extra late because scheduled santa forgot to make his stop and by the time we got a hold of him, he was already back at the north pole with his boots off, sipping a hard eggnog and from what it smelled like, mowing through a pack of dirty cigarettes.

good thing he's motivated by dean's dangling cash carrot and has the ability to drink and guide the sleigh because he made it to the party just before the babies called it quits and gave into their drooping eyelids.

"is santa really caressing my waistline and pulling me in a little too close?"

"yep. he is. and jonelle's getting the same st nick action on her side too"

dean, breana, jonelle and brody

as the mother of 2 boys, i REALLY need to figure out how to work a transformer

really santa? your arms are on our shoulders now? like we're drinking buddies?

this picture is so amazing. i'm going to have to blow it up.

"mom? if santa gives me a present, can i give him some minty fresh gum?"

brea figured him out long before the rest of us. she kept a good 20 feet away at all times

which i'm sure was part of his probation anyway.

it was a great year-

thanks jo and dean.

you've made us feel so at home with you.

we love you and can't wait to do it again next year- wasted santa and all!!