We usually have two get togethers:  one with the Arriolas on Christmas Day and with the Susis just before the end of the year.  Because I am still sorta indisposed, I only got to tweak the Susi side.  So I hope you don’t mind.  Hyuck.  Feeling close.  Hahahaha.

This year was extra fun because of Chuchi and her amusing age.  Turning two last November 30, she’s now exceptionally witty and kind of like Glee —  she naturally breaks into song.  And she’s starting to have favorites!!!  Grrrrr.  And I am only reacting negatively because I didn’t get the same smile as Dylan did.

It’s also Jared’s first get together with the family.  The poor kid was pretty much knocked out the entire night.  Nonetheless, he received the most gifts I think.

Since the Antipolo house got renovated, the lanai took a really long time to be put together.  I think Tito Rod had too much thinking done that he didn’t know which element to put in first.  Hahahaha.  Finally, it was almost complete and we were greeted by a tree with two cutie pie elves.

Bianca is slowly turning Machiko into one of those kids that ought to be child stars.  But then again this comes from the point of view of a highly biased aunt.

For 2012, Bianca and Maylene were the gift givers.  Rather, gift distributors????  I’m just happy to pass the hat to the younger generation.  Marga and I did that till we’re 24…?  So it’s good that these girls are getting out of their S-H-Y phase and becoming more entertaining.  Family is after all the best audience to be around.

Let us also welcome the new nanny, Sherelyn!  She’s in everyone’s gift list too. :)

Year after year since they have graduated, my brothers have constantly gift-wrapped gifts from them to them!  I think it’s their subtle reminder for everyone to not forget to reward themselves after a long hard worked year.  I swear, they are not in any manner suffering from mental disorders.  They’re naturally… goofy.  And crazy.  And silly.  They were, for a time, Britney Spears and the Friendly Neighborhood Gay.  But you have to be there to get the joke.  Hahaha.

Another big surprise was Bianca!  She gave out gifts that she bought with her own money!!!  I love this little girl.  Tita Pinky and Marga said she’s been cleaning rooms around the house and doing chores to save up for the holiday gift giving.  She even had envelopes for each person she will give a gift to, so that the money is distributed evenly.  Dylan and I got our own!  Yay!  Note the overexposure.  If I didn’t take the photo, no one will.  HAHAHA.

I think she’s planning on giving gifts to EVERYONE next year.  She’s so cute!!!!  And sweet.  Excerpt from our later conversation:

Me:  Wow, Bianca you must have saved so much money!  You’re so mayaman (rich)!
Bianca:  Eh, ngayon wala na lahat!  (Now the money is all gone!)

Witty girl. :)

Anyway, Rex (aka Brother 6) was not present in the evening because of work commitments.  So the Brotherhood had only one thing to say…

Jared was in a gift giving mood too!  Well… drooling gift giving mood.  Did I mention he farts like a grown man?  I am yet to hear him burp but according to Mommy Jaja, it’s worse than the fart.

Machiko now gets excited for gifts!  This year’s over-enthusiasm was the complete opposite of last year’s non-reaction!  Look at that grin.  :)

Unaware of tradition, she started to pick on the gift wrapper.  Marga told her to stop and wait for all the gifts to be distributed to everyone, so we can all open the presents at the same time.  Poor kid had to wait!  Dylan’s heart was almost broken and he kept bugging me to give a small gift that she can open.  But our Machiko proved to be in complete control of her EQ.  Hahahaha.  Look at that poker face!!!!

I bet she went out of her mind controlling the urge to open that present!

Of course if there’s the Brotherhood, there’s the Sisterhood also.  As the sole person who was not able to eat well during the holidays because of nausea, I am still the widest!  Good Lord, I hope to be skinny soon enough.  Dylan claims to like me just as I am but we can’t all be Bridget Jones right?  ;p

As early as September, my brothers and I have planned to give our parents a trip to Boracay.  This is how my brothers chose to assist me in handing over that gift.

MACHIKO IS FOREVER SCARRED!!!!

But the highlight of the evening was not the Boracay trip, but Daniel’s gift.  You see, after a two-year wait, he finally got a job.  It’s not really the most stellar job, but it was a job.  Each time someone in the family gets a job, he/she immediately becomes another gift giver.  My brother saved up IMMENSELY from his minimum wage 9 to 5 to give everyone gifts.  THOUGHTFUL GIFTS.  And I am a proud sister!!!!

After years and years of trying to trump the previous one’s statement shirts, my brother got it right the first time:

Presenting…. the Brotherhood.

They even got Dylan one!  Brother From Another Mother!  Look at that face, so touched!!!!  Hahahahaha.  My brother is so witty.  I never even thought of that.  Jared got his own too:  Brocessor.  :)

So… Brother 1 and Brother 6, your shirts are waiting.  Claim them already. :)

I don’t know if anyone else took photos; Marga shot videos with the iPad.  I kind of like that I’m the official photographer, but I need another one to team up with me!  I keep missing moments coz I’m too busy laughing and having fun with the cousins.

Then again, that’s a fantastic reason to not take a photo. :)

I am looking for more years like this to come, with the next one hopefully the NJ people can join in.  MAKE IT HAPPEN, PEOPLE.

Happy new year, everyone.  Don’t forget to start it right… whatever it is. :)