Party #2 - the Valdezes

In many ways...a repeat of last night. But very different and equally fun.


We actually started the evening gift exchanging with Obi-Wan. Then we slipped next door to the Juan & Miranda Valdez (who always host great parties). Like last night, this was their big family jamboree/gift exchange (with my family being the only "non-related" attendees). It was supposed to coincide with some Mexican tradition of having the kids reenact Mary & Joseph looking for room at the inn. But in Juan's words, "we skip the religious part and just go straight to the party".


It was pretty cool. Everyone was dressed up since they just came back from Catholic mass. Everyone except for the proverbial "drunk" uncle who wore a Dallas Cowboys jersey and a Santa hat and came in yelling, "where's the beer". I love that guy. I end up hanging with him through most of the kid birthdays we're invited to.


After we ate (excellent food including bacon wrapped mushrooms...ooowww) Juan, the drunk uncle, me and all the kids went to the back yard to light sparklers and shoot roman candles...which is highly illegal in the city limits not to mention the burn-ban enforced Taylor County. But I won't tell.


Again, like last night the gift-giving frenzy somehow included us. As the youngest, Agent Offspring got a gift first. AO was placed in the special chair up front while the gift was given, then all kids were called up in ascending age. Gotta love the Valdezes. They even know how to throw a dress-up Christmas party.