Christmas 2009 Part 1

This Christmas was a DC Christmas with JD's family. We had a ball and enjoyed sharing the holidays with the Santini side.

On Christmas Eve eve, we met up with our great friends the Stroms at the Kennedy Center for the sing-a-long Messiah. It was quite a sight to see thousands of people with their sheet music joining in on the Hallelujah chorus. We joined voices with some amazingly talented artists.


Here is a picture of the symphony and the choir. There were some world renowned soloists that sang as well, but this picture is before they came out on stage.


Here is a picture of the beautiful Santini tree Christmas Eve.


The Santini clan gathers traditionally on Christmas Eve. There's a great big dinner and a program. I've learned from this side of the family that every party needs hors d'oeuvres. Can't go another party without crab dip!


JD and I got to organize and put on the program this year. We started out with all of the nieces and nephews competing for the title (and a small cash prize provided by Nonno) of Grand Champion Gingerbread House Extraordinaire.


Carter at work.


Lookin' good, Madison!


Lindsey looks like an expert.


Samantha and Lindsey's


Landon's


Erica's


Carter's


Madison and Presley's


Everyone gathering for the judging


Nonno passing out the dough


Taylor looks excited!


The moment when Madison and Pres heard they were the winners.




Everything is better with cash


It was certainly Madison's and Pres' night! They were also crowned the king and queen of the Christmas Eve Banquet.


Every year the Santinis gather to sing The 12 Days of Christmas precisely because they love to hear Mark shout from the top of his lungs, "5 golden rinnnnnnngs!!!"


He's good at it.


Nonna is playing the piano for the spiritual part of our program.


After we talked about the true meaning of Christmas, JD was awarded the duty of Santa and passed out the gifts.


Cutest Santa I ever saw!


The older girls and their Juicy

Part 2

We nailed the Christmas gift for Dad Santini this year. He was mentioning to others about how he wanted a red sweater vest. We didn't know. We got lucky.


Mark modeling the wrapping paper after opening presents.


Next we headed off to Lisa's to spend the day with her family.


My attempt at Guitar Hero.


You don't get points for dancing, honey!


Work it!


Carter playing flag football the next day.


JD loves his nieces and nephews!


We went to Colonial Williamsburg- braving the freezing temperatures and wind. I didn't know that 40 degrees in AZ is very different than 40 degrees in VA.


JD volunteered me to play a role in the trial demonstration at the courthouse. I severely lost the case.


He's the judge basically telling me I didn't know what I was talking about- which was true.


They threw me in the stocks. JD was guilty by association.


Here's the beautiful church. George Washington has a pew there.


This is the Governor's Mansion. Check out the entryway:




The whole entryway was covered in weapons.




"Never stand directly in front of a cannon.....how true that is!"


The blacksmith


I LOVED the Christmas decorations. Everything was made from real fruit and the smell was fantastic!








We then enjoyed a lovely dinner at a nearby restaurant. It was a great time had by all!