OUR CHRISTMAS 2014

Like I said in my Facebook status, I will bombard you all first with CHRISTMAS posts since lazy me took an extended vacation and just stayed in bed while eating.  

Yes. That's me. I blame Santa for not passing by and giving me the gift of diligence. Instead, he gave me the gift of "song" to make my husband (and everyone in the household) suffer! Tee heee!

Anywho, like what we always do, we went to Rockwell Tent to attend our late night mass with the family. Afterwards, we were supposed to all go straight home to start cooking the food for Noche Buena. My family went ahead since they didn't want to keep the beef and seafood waiting.

I, however, wanted to have more pictures with THE YAPPY BUNCH outside near the ginormous Christmas tree (I could cook my pasta in less than 30 minutes anyway) My little Andrei though was panicking because he heard the priest say that there will be some fireworks later on. I assured him that we will just have a quick picture and then leave in the guise of the Road Runner.

Such was really my intention when we got to the ginormous Christmas tree. However, luck was NOT on Andrei's side because as soon as we stepped there, we were all greeted with THIS.

Background music: "Just hear those sleighbells jingling-ringting-tingaling-tooo....."

"...come on it's a lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you...."

Mati used to HATE fireworks ever since he got traumatized in Disneyland California. Good thing he's all grown up and has overcome that "bang bang" fear. Now, he's more appreciative of the lovely sights. 

The same could NOT be said for Andrei who got so upset and kept on jumping up and down in anger. He really doesn't like fireworks and covered his ears all throughout.

Poor Andrei :(

I promised him that I would ride the scary ferris wheel when we go to Star City if he just bear with the fireworks for just a little bit.

Good thing he still managed a smile.

And finally the LAST firework!

Amidst the tears and sniffles of little Andrei, I asked if it was okay to have one more traditional picture by the Powerplant Mall mirror wall. Good thing my boy agreed.

Here we were two years ago! Huhuhu!!! My boys grew up so fast!!!!

When we got home, the table was already set up!

MY table setting!

Kudos to my sister and aunt who pimped up our dining table.

I saw my sister and the little kids practicing for their presentation later. My oldest brother thought of whipping up something different for our Christmas night and have a little program. 

Time to cook up my dish for Noche Buena!!!!!

My pretty sister in law Karen prepared the salad. 

While my brother started to slice up his juicy roast beef!

As usual, my big boy Mati asked when dinner was going to get ready since he was already hungry!

Of course, before we started anything, we offered a short prayer of thanks. 

Judging from where my Dad is looking, I'm sure you could guess who was expected to lead. He he he he he! 

My little man actually made a short but very touching prayer. Besides thanking the Lord for the meal and family togetherness, he also gave thanks that our aunts (my Dad's sisters) were here to celebrate Christmas with us. 

Of course, that made my Dad happy!

10 points to THE YAPPY BUNCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And now it's time to eat our Christmas 2014 Noche Buena!

Karen's Mandarin Salad!

We got my favorite Caviar Pie from THE PLAZA! Yum!!! So perfect with the white wine!!

Believe me when I say that I could eat this for breakfast, lunch, and dinner!!! So creamy yet appetizing with the caviar and melba toasts!

My carbonara!

Fried Buttered Shrimps!

My Mom's special Morcon with hearty gravy. She cooks this only during the holidays!!!

Our Christmas 2014 roast beef... 

Yummmmmm.... So tender and packed with rubbings! Just the way we liked it!

Buttery Mashed Potatoes!

Steamed corn on the cob!

 

Time to eat!!!!

Of course, Mati was first in line and immediately helped himself to some meat!!!! 

 

ERICJAZ FOODIES and family for Noche Buena!!!!!

 

 The Chinese Adonis and I offered to eat in the kiddie table but my Kuya Jay and Karen volunteered to stay with the little critters.

Good thing too because Andrei, who is so scared of his Tito Jay, was extra behaved during our Noche Buena!

 

My first of MANY plates of the caviar pie!!!! OMIGERD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

 

My plate!!! My anti-rice but filled-with-2 kinds-of-carbs kind of plate!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Loved my side salad with a cob of buttered corn!

  

My view during Noche Buena!

Hmmm... Everybody seems to be so serious with their food.

 

The kiddie table was actually more rowdy! He he he he! 

My brother let Mati and Andrei try some white wine and they hated it! Ha ha ha ha ha ha!

 

Hmmm... Looks like the Chinese Adonis plans to get drunk tonight! Will I finally get lucky and score?

EEEWWWWWWWWWWWW.....

 

A toast for a happy Christmas! Rejoice for the Lord is here!!!!!!!!!

 

 

So much food!!! Even if we already helped ourselves to seconds and thirds plus gave some to our help and people outside, there was still a LOT of leftovers.

Wohoo! More for us tomorrow!!!!

 

After dinner, my brother thought of having a small Christmas program. My sister started the show with a dramatization of the journey towards the Nativity of Jesus. 

Dear Mati will be St. Joseph and that small white inflatable is his trusty "Donkey".  

 

 

The story begins with Mother Mary accepting the blessing from the Lord.

 

St. Joseph and Mother Mary travel to Bethlehem in search of a place to stay for the night.

  

Finally a kindly man let them stay in a stable and Baby Jesus was born!

If it's not obvious, that's Andrei portraying a very big and happy baby Jesus.

 

Great drama kiddies!!!!

Next, it was my turn to lead the singing of Christmas songs. 

  

My brother chose the "12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS" for me to lead.

Yep! It was during THIS time that Santa's gift of song came in handy. Tee heee!!!!!

 My dear niece Rocio then played a Christmas song with her violin. 

 

Now THAT musical performance, my family enjoyed. Ha ha ha ha ha!

 

Then, Mati took the "stage" to make everyone laugh with his Christmas jokes! He he he he!

He he he he! He had a VERY appreciative audience!!! 

  

After all the "laughs", we were all hushed down with Rocio's declamation of her favorite verses from Hamlet. 

 

 

Everybody was all ears....

and eyes.... 

 

I was too engrossed that I forgot to be lady like. Ha ha ha ha!

 

Andrei made a special appearance in the end. He he he he he!

 

This performance deserved an Oscar believe me!

 

My Kuya Jon then gave a toast and well wishes for everyone. 

Since we didn't feel like washing our used wine goblets yet, we just got some ice cream cups and filled it with Mountain Dew. Ha ha ha ha ha! Really, it's the words of the toast that counts!!!!!!

 

Merry Christmas to all!!!!

Uh... Yes. I could have sworn that's Mountain Dew. For the life of me I don't know why I made that pose.

 

 

We officially ended our Christmas program with a "Ang Pasko Ay Sumapit!".

 

Headed by ME again! Yep! I DID receive the gift of song!!! Tee hee!!!

Wait.... Wasn't that from Sleeping Beauty? 

  

And it's time to open our Christmas gifts!!!!

We actually wrote down what we wanted from each other for the exchange gift so here's hoping my family followed my wishlist!

HERE ARE SOME OF OUR GIFTS!!!!!

 

Yub and I gave Cio some painting materials. 

 

Andrei got a Lego Star Wars toy.

 

Mati received the same plus a DIARY OF A WIMPY KID hardbound book. 

 

I gave my Mom a blouse from Details. 

 

My brother gave me an accessories' box!

 

 

 I gave Ate Jit a necklace!

 

Wohoo! Andrei received a Spy Gear Walkie Talkie!

 

More DIARY OF A WIMPY KID books for Mati!

 

Andrei gave gifts to everyone from Marks and Spencer. He gave his Tito Jay a small can of Portugese Sardines. 

My little guy did it as a joke but har de har har, my brother loved it. So sorry Andrei!!!!!!

TIME FOR OUR TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS PICTORIAL!!!!

 

 

ERICJAZ FOODIES with GATDULA family!

 

 

ERICJAZ FOODIES with the GATDULA FAMILY doing the wacky!!!!!!

 

The Seniors with the Juniors!

 

The Seniors!

 

The Seniors photobombed by the Juniors, and one Single Lady. He he he he he!!!!

THAT'S FOR NOT READING MY BLOG Ate Jit!!!!!!

 

Mom and Dad with the apos!

 

This is US trying to recreate this Christmas photo we did decades ago. 

  

The photo I'm referring to. 

 

Did we do it right???

 

 

We just realized that we looked so goofy. Ha ha ha ha ha ha!!!! 

To think in this portrait you got two Doctors, an Engineer, an International Lawyer, an Animator, and a Beauty Titlist Holder. I think it's so cool that they're recreating the picture above for fun!!!

Oh and just in case you're wondering, the Beauty Titlist Holder is ME. 

Okay I'm not being entirely truthful there. Let's just say, I joined for Little Miss Philippines in Eat Bulaga when I was seven. 

Okay fine. I only auditioned.

AND did not pass. 

:(

BWA HA HA HA HA!

YES. Seriously.

 

Okay. So here's the one that we all loved!!!!!

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS from my GATDULA family!!!!

 

Mati with his equally wacky cousin, Cio!

 

My little lords!

 

Okay now it's our turn!

 

THE YAPPY BUNCH!!!!

(a belated) MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

=========================

 

For breakfast next day, Ate Jit brought out this holiday cake that we forgot to eat the night before.

 

EVERYONE was extra happy that Christmas morning!

Will share the reason soon!!!!!!!

SO.

THERE.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!!!

(still in vacation mode).