Dopp "Adult" Party

And when I say Dopp adults, I mean the women.  Because the boys are all still 12 years old, which is probably the whole reason we laughed so much at the Dopp "Adult" Christmas party.  The recipe was simple:  hors d'oevres, plates of Marlene's goodies, a gift exchange and hours of funny conversation.  I am happy to be part of this group and I love them all.

Because no kids are allowed in the vicinity of the party, Ruby went out with friends and Golda drove the remaining five kids to a movie at the Kaysville Theater.  It's a whole new world having my babies' lives entrusted to a novice driver, and I hate it, in that my heart pounds violently the whole time they're on the road.  I trust Golda, and she is cautious, but it sure is nerve-wracking having her out there on the road with other drivers who might not be paying attention.  Next time you drive around, just notice how many drivers are actually looking down, probably at phones.  Nonetheless, the kids all made it home safely, stuffed with popcorn.  They had all used their two-dollar bills from Nana on popcorn and drinks. I ushered them from the car straight to Coco and Bill's to wait out the party.  Meanwhile...

 Ryan n Jennie

 Clint, Nikki, Michelle

Us

 Jeremy and Jenny

 MArlene, Bruce and Richelle, before Jeff got there.

 The whole group, and isn't it a sharp one?  A loud one, too!

 Elfy asleep after the party.  See, the light from the Christmas tree isn't even bothering him!

Nana Lunch and Scott Dopp Dinner

 Monday morning, I had a bunch of Chirstmas-related errands, some of which were pretty darn fun.  For lunch, all seven kids and I packed a picnic and took it to Nana's.  She supplemented our sandwiches and veggies with apple juice and stories from Christmas past.  I remember recording this same story last year or the year before, but I can't find it.  Nana is so happy and loving all the time, and fun and funny.  She admits that she can't remember things, and she is right.  I feel a sense of urgency to spend time with her.  I'm so lucky to live close by!

After Nana's lunch, we decided to have a party with just our family.  Following a discussion in which we clarified who "just our family" is, we named the party "The Scott Dopp Family Party."  In the car, the kids drew names out of a paper bag and I turned them loose at the dollar store to find a gift for their person.  At home, we got everything ready for the big party!  And by "big party," I mean what most families do together every night: have dinner.  We don't usually sit down all together; we just mill about the kitchen foraging around the dinner hour.  The family that forages together stays together...even if their dinners are not choreographed affairs complete with food prep, roundtable discussion and shared dishes duty.  Standing around the toaster, fridge and microwave is just as good, I say.

 Jingles is everywhere.  He loves all the parties.

 This is the dumbest picture of me, but it's fun that all the kids are in the background.  We used the 'wideangle selfie" mode on my new phone.

 Sweet little Araceli!

 There is nothing better than holiday party leftovers.  Nothing!

 Golda and Xanthe like to exchange notes.

Tziporah's arabesque cracked us up.

And here they are, the Magnificent Seven.  They are great kids, and Scott and I love being with them.  As Golda prepares to leave the nest, the fact that they are growing up is brought into sharp relief.  It used to be an abstract concept that yes, these children who are taking up all of our time, energy and resources, will in fact, grow up and leave.  Now that it's a reality, every minute seems too short, every day seems to fly too quickly.  Every trial, every frustration, every challenge, is mitigated by the overpowering reality that it's all too temporary.  I am grateful to have tiny kids at the same time as we're experiencing the next phase.  Honestly, I can tell you that the little kids are SO easy.  And I think it's because I have far more perspective than I used to.  Not that it was ever drudgery; I'm wired to love being a mom.  But when people say things like "I don't know how you do it," I do feel a twinge of guilt because it's so very do-able, and I love having a family so very much.  That said, I certainly remember days of exhaustion, loneliness and boredom, living away from family and having little girls.  And moments of despair regarding parenting decisions and the kids' well-being are still frequent and at times overwhelming.  That will never change, I'm afraid.  But all in all, it's a journey that I am thankful for and happy with, and one that I hope never ends.  As tired as the concept of eternity makes Scott, I'm sure he's as grateful as I am that families are forever.  As long as there are naps in heaven!

Bazail Brunch

Sunday morning, we were all set up for the Bazail Brunch.  Has a nice ring to it, doesn't it?  Sarah and Roland and the boys came down from Park City in the festive holiday rain.  Not the weather we like in Utah for Christmas, but it was snowing in the mountains, so hopefully Roland will have some good snow this week for skiing.  In the meantime, delicious Marie Callendar's quiche, funeral potatoes, red jello, a ham, and desserts as far as the eye can see.  Maybe the rain isn't so bad after all.

 When five-year-olds get their own food.

The must-have Coke Nog, and plenty of it.

TZ has Tricia's cancer pose...see below

Halfway through the party, I got a call from Jenny Neeley's phone.  It was Aracei.  "Hi Mom!  Jenny picked me up and I'm going to have a sleepover at Grandma's with Neeley.  I forgot to say bye!"  The real truth:  She sneaked out early, because I had told her she couldn't leave until 2:00.  Saying good-bye would have foiled her plan.  Better to ask forgiveness than permission, because honestly, we hadn't even noticed she was gone.  Oops.

Emily was sick all weekend, so the Kings missed all the festivities.  But here are the rest of the cousins, doing their git exchange.  I'll really have to step it up next year.  Sarah doesn't relate to the concept of a ten-dollar limit!  Lol

Coco couldn't resist giving Tricia this dog pillow in honor of all the rescue dog pics Tricia posts on facebook.  It will look perfect in her oceanfront condo!

My only King cousin...

unless you count Roland, which would make sense.  We talked a lot about Cuba and how the Cuban-American community in Miami is reacting to the news.  Older generation:  angry.  Younger generation:  hopeful.  Kings and Bazails:  eager to travel back to the 1950's before Cuba changes, and that will probably happen rapidly.

Tricia had some skin cancer removed from her chin, so she struck this pose in all the pictures.  We were all teasing her.

Our godsons, Alex and Lincoln.

Festivities were temporarily interrupted for church, where I played my violin for the kids as they sang.  So fun!  But back to the party...the King After-Party commenced at 4:30 and we lounged around eating and...eating...and recovering from eating.

And Scott came home!  He was relieved to see the house still full of people.  We did it just for him, so he wouldn't feel like he missed out on all the fun. ;)

Josh and the kids made it over.  Yay!  Emily, hope you're on the mend.  Horrible timing!  

"What happened in Vegas...came home."  #falseadvertising  Glad to have you home, though, Scott!