My home, as I've told you before, is freakishly small cottage-like.
Accomodating my big, fat, Cuban family for Nochebuena takes quite a bit of planning and hard work and a little bit of creativity. Actually, a LOT of creativity.
My family is full of extroverted, noisy people. (Hello? Cubans!) They are easy conversationalists and will most always cooperate with whatever creative suggestions get thrown their way. (This quality is what makes our yearly Christmas videos so compelling.)
But to be honest, hosting a big party like this in our freakishly small cottage-like home requires that we also do some "crowd control." (AKA: have some activities planned.)
This year, we had a Photo Booth. (I know. Genius, right?) I'd gotten the idea from a few blog events I've attended this year. The Photo Booths were always a hit.
Me to my (very creative) kids: "We need to do a Photo Booth for Nochebuena."
Lucy: "Let's ask Mr. G (our favorite professional photographer and awesome neighbor) for help."
Our Awesome Professional Photographer Neighbor, Raphael, let us borrow a backdrop and a remote flash and lights and the whole set-up for The Great Nochebuena Photo Booth of 2010.
We moved all the furniture out of the way in Jonathan's room and voila! Instant Photo Booth!
I wanted to make sure that everyone had their photos taken with my mom, Luza.
And that each family would be well represented.
I insisted that the couples jump in.
"Yes, of course you can bring the dog."
I suggested generational pictures.
And Lucy had the great eye for the crazy kid pics. (Do not miss Ben's Clip-on Tie of Awesomeness.)
We made sure to get the parents with each individual child. (This is probably because of some deep, psychological wounding I received because I was the youngest and there are no pictures of just me with my parents, but that's really a conversation I'll have to save for my therapist.)
And of course, there were the siblings.
And my men. (Missed you, Adam!)
The cousins got a little crazy.
And of course, we had to take the Classic Sister Picture of 2010. (Suitable for framing, no?)
Some of the photos were out of focus and a little goofy…..which made them absolutely Picture Perfect.
Yes, that's me. Right up front. With the smug self-satisfied grin on my face. (And gift wrapping ribbon in my hair, but that's not important right now.) =D
Awh, Marta, looks like you guys had a blast. Merry Christmas!!
I forgot to mention the Creme de Vie turned out wonderful. I plan to make it for our friends and neighbors every year. Yum. Thx again.
Marta! I absolutely love your family, lol. Y’all are always having a wonderful time, it really shows through the pictures, you guys are awesome!By the way, I’ve been using the cookbook I won last year on your blog, I’ve become a total pro at making ropa vieja, tastes just like how my abuela makes it. Your blog is my fav! 🙂
Hi Marcia,Yes! We did have a blast! Word is that this was one of the most fun Nochebuenas ever. (Win!)
Glad you enjoyed the Creme de Vie. I hope you become famous for it!
Besos,
Marta
Thanks, Alby!I love that the ropa vieja tastes like you want it to. This makes me totally happy. =D
Yay to great pictures and great times! Every year around the 23rd, I start with the very loud grumbling, ‘Oh Lord, why am I doing all this? Next year, I’m not going to do it, forget it…’ Ahhh, but by the end of the Noche Buena, when everyone has left and it’s my husband and I going over our favorite moments, it’s just magical. To me it’s very much like childbirth – at the beginning it’s a little scary and exciting, then it’s downright painful, but at the end, it’s all worth it (and yes, you repeat it cause you forget what a pain it was and want to recapture the magic).Felicidades Marta, all the generations will remember your magical Noche Buenas. Que Dios bendiga a toda tu familia.
BRILLIANT idea & marvelous post – pics made me LOL. You go girl.
What a great idea! I’m stealing, er, borrowing it for next year. Feliz Ano Nuevo!
Ileana,Steal away….but be sure to share!
Besos!