Here's the story: When my very good friend Karie and I were living together we thought it would be great to have everyone over for a little Holiday Happy Hour - we made some cheap snacks and put most of the money towards a keg (naturally - we were in our twenties!). The party was a success and the meatballs were a huge hit - some people tried to eat them while they were cooking, they were so popular! A tradition was born, and we've had a Merry Meatball Madness holiday party every year since. Now you know...
There they are... the famed Meatballs. No they don't come in different flavors - just 'Marvelous Meaty Meatball'. No complaints yet!
Ah -
The traditional mother/daughter photo. My moms - Patty, Me, Karie, and her mom, Gail. Next year will be ten years of MMM, and we will be trying to get all the photos together. It will be awesome, I'm sure.
What an all-star shot!
Steve and Tony discuss something captivating in the background while beauties Britt, Kyndee, and Trish talk about... possibly Daughtry?
Look who's all warm inside with the M&M's, Dorito's, and Java
That is the lovely imprint of Sonji's beautiful face. It's not a party until someone runs into the door, gets gum in the carpet, attempts to steal the keg, or spills red wine... one out of four isn't bad for one year.
Trish LOVES that sweater...
Sometimes a hug can heal anything. That looks like a good hug.
Isabella is hanging out with her Uncles Lonnie and Travis ~ just waiting for the time to open presents... or eat!
Ah yes... presents for the kids and mayhem for the grown-ups. Batteries, directions, small pieces... lovely! Dad, DeWayne, and Chad look like they have it under control. 
The Smith Family tree ~ we didn't have one this year, but we're all set for next. Hooray! 
More gifts! 
The Chefs getting ready for meal number 3... yum!
There she is... Sun Devil stadium! Okay, this family is clearly confused. It was already cold, the sun was almost gone, and they were putting up the E-Z up... for... shade? They weren't doing it well either. Good entertainment for a couple minutes. 
I went all out for Lonnie's birthday - Barro's pizza, brownies, and cupcakes! Travis is of course eating the veggies(?)! Can't believe he married me...
The UCLA game was Senior Night for our little Sun Devils... we're going to really miss our Mike Jones! Go Devils! 
I went with Travis when he officiated the Sun Dogs game in Prescott Valley the night before Thanksgiving. I got to see my friend (and former Yavapai co-worker) Jayson and his wife, Jessie - they've got a great house and two of the cutest cats. They made an awesome dinner, and then we went to the game to see Travis in action! 
My office is also a residential center for some of our "clients" - we just call them 'the guys'. Every year we (I don't do much) host a neighborhood Thanksgiving dinner. A lot of our people bring their families and come to see Santa as well as have some good food. There's a ton of effort that goes into this thing, and I think the final guesstimate was around 700 people served this year. The kids LOVE Santa and his gifts. 
It's probably funnier if you know these guys and what they do for the Department... you will never see me dressed as an elf. 
It was a perfect day - it was really windy and rained the next day... lucky! 
Travis officiated the "Rookies Tournament" at Glendale Arena which was a scrimmage between the Phoenix Coyotes and L.A. Kings rookies Tuesday and Wednesday this week. 
