Reveillon, in French, means “to stay awake.” In the Canadian French Canadian tradition for Christmas Eve, the adults would attend Midnight Mass, and then return home and party until the sun came up! I don’t quite have that much “party” left in me, but we did make it until just after 2 AM. With the exception of a comical (and infuriating) series of events leading up to the Reveillon itself (see Ka-BOOM! and A Comedy of Errors,) it turned out to be an exceptional night. We had a total of 31 guests.

This was the dining room table. A few of the items on the table included cheesecake, tourtiere, cretons with crackers, cherry pie, pecan-maple pie, squash pie, seafood chowder, cream of mushroom soup, cranberry pork, giardinera, nuts, candy, caramel pop-corn, nacho tray with two types of hot homemade salsa, punch, a veggie tray with a blue cheese dip, and a chip tray with caramelized onion dip.

The kitchen table held our coffee station, pecan-maple pie, squash pie, blueberry pie, blubbly jello with whipped cream, a ham tray with 4 hot sauce dips, a buche de Noel (hadn’t arrived yet,) nuts, cretons, olives, chips with caramelized onion dip, candies and a huge cheese tray with a variety of cheeses.

Dougie looks on as Darian helps himself to a piece of Dougie’s cheesecake. Chase is in the background – trying to decide what he wants to start with. By the way – the cheesecake didn’t last the evening … think we’ll try to get Dougie to make two next year … :)

If you remember from my Post Chaos Post, these two very strange people showed up on my doorstep, and I felt so sorry for them that I let them in… well, they’re back!

Lookit! I caught Vivi with her tongue sticking out! Amazing! You should see her when she’s drinking! ;-)

This is my niece Beth! We don’t get to see her very often … so I really look forward to Christmas Eve!

Tom really was as innocent as he looks in this picture … all evening! Apparently, there are actually legends surrounding Tom, certain beverages, and Christmas Eve … my brother tells me that my name is always mentioned in those legends. *cough* Moi???

Tom is Nicole’s (my niece) hubby … and Baby Jack’s dad. :-)

Nicole … Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman! She was really “swell” looking last Christmas … this Christmas she brought along a wee little extra!

Patty with Baby Jack … never could picture Patty as a grandmother before, but I must say that it suits her quite nicely!

Here is my brother Paul, and my nephew Alex. It’s great to see the two of them together! Paul is about the busiest person I know (especially since he retired,) and Alex is the ultimate world traveler. He’s finally home after living and working in Africa and South America for a number of years. Oh … those legends surrounding Tom? … Alex’s name is also mentioned in them … ;-)

Here’s a room full of happy, full, laughing, hiccupping people. Sometime after the holidays, I’ll let you in on the little video they were watching. *grin*

This picture is a prize! I love it! Sarah with Jordan … I think Daein had better keep his eyes on his little nephew, I’m sure Jordy’s got his eyes on his Auntie Sarah … ;-)

A peaceful moment between Sarah and Mikah. This picture is another treasure. Mikah is very difficult to catch in such tranquil poses. Sarah’s going to be a wonderful Mum!

And here it is! The classic shot of Daein taking a picture of me …

… while I take a picture of him! We do this one every Christmas! :)

And yes, in the background … that’s Joanie … and no, those aren’t HORNS she’s making behind my head, they’re BUNNY EARS! So there! ;-)

And finally – how could I forget our annual shot of Doug … in his classic “fly catcher” pose. We have one of these representing each and every Reveillon we’ve ever had! This is our 2005 poster shot … *blink!*

Posted: Monday, December 26th, 2005 at 12:18 pm under: Family & Friends, General Mayhem. Comment Feed (RSS 2.0). Interact: Comment or Trackback.