H O L I D AY H O M E
pose for the annual Christmas card
picture at a favorite spot in the family
room overlooking the sunset on
Pompton Lake. Hand-stitched stockings are hung by the fireplace, one for
each member of the family including
their black lab, Rexie.
The kids invite friends to build
gingerbread houses, and to make gifts
for their moms. They bake dozens of
different cookies, and decorate them
all. A hot chocolate bar with marsh36
WAYNE MAGAZINE HOLIDAY 2016
mallows is set up for break time.
Guests are welcomed to the front
door at holiday time by a stone path
lined with Mason jar luminaries.
Lighted soldiers passed down from
their parents stand at attention in the
garland lit doorway of their house
that sparkles with white lights on
bushes and windows.
“On Christmas Eve, we do the
whole seven fishes menu,” says
Catherine, “but we also incorporate
pierogies and sauerkraut soup. I grew
up Russian Orthodox and celebrated
two Christmases with my parents. My
father was Italian. Now, we mash up
all the traditions together. Sort of like
pierogis dipped in marinara sauce.”
Both children sing in the choir and
take part in the Christmas pageant
at IHM. Hayden is an altar boy, and
serves Christmas Eve mass. The whole
family goes to church that night, and
comes back to their house right after.