359/365-2 The Aftermath

"Nap Time!"

Another Christmas tradition around our house is that after brunch has been eaten and gifts have been opened Harley and Weber climb up in the recliner and have a Christmas nap.  I think there is a similar picture to this one from almost every Christmas day that these two have shared.

This image is not particularly "Christmassy" in and of itself, so here is a second look at the aftermath of our Christmas morning.

We had a wonderful Christmas - lots of food, laughter, and sharing of gifts.  We all got and gave many thoughtful things.  At least this image looks a little more like Christmas.

Merry Christmas

and

Happy New Year!

from our family to yours

358/365-2 Naughty or Nice

"You Decide."

I was drawn to this image of Erin that was taken on her birthday.  For someone reason, to me it is perfect for "naughty or nice."

We had a somewhat less frantic Christmas eve than usually.  I did get everything wrapped, chili made for Christmas day, and some cleaning done, but I decided that some cleaning just was not going to get done.  That's why they make doors that close.

Church was a nice change this year.  I had the opportunity to play with the orchestra at a different church rather than sing in the choir at our church.  I enjoyed the opportunity to play.  It has been a long time since I have been an instrumentalist rather than a chorister.  It felt good to get back to my roots.

Because we were actually running a little bit early, Weber and I had time to stop at Starbucks before church and enjoy a cup of coffee together.  

It was calm and quite, the perfect way to settle our spirits before attending church - twice.  I played for two services and weber was a good sport and went to both.  At least the sermons were different.

A few years ago we began this weird tradition of going Waffle House after midnight Mass on Christmas eve.  So after church Weber and I picked up Brooke and headed out for our eggs with cheese and hash browns.  I'm not sure how this became part of our holiday tradition, but I always enjoy it.

By the time we got home, I was wide awake.  I think it was 4am by the time I finally got to bed.  That's OK.  Now that the girls are older, Christmas morning doesn't start so early.

With wishes for homes and hearts filled with joy during this holiday season and the year to come.

Happy 22nd Birthday, Erin!

Today was day two of our marathon week of birthdays - four in six days if you count Jesus.  My baby turned twenty two today.  Where has the time gone?  

Both the birthday girl and her sister had to work all day so our celebration consisted of dinner in Fort Worth at Yucatan Taco.  (I am including the name of the restaurant because neither Brooke or me could remember where we went last year for Erin's birthday.  Though I mentioned in her birthday blog of 2013 that we had gone out for dinner, I failed to give the name of the restaurant.  Fortunately, Erin remembered.)  Erin had been there before, but it was new to the rest of us.  The food was excellent; Yucatan Taco will definitely stay on the "will visit again" list.  The only negative was that it was dark inside so the birthday pictures did not turn out great.  Oh well...they are enough to spark good memories in the years to come, I hope.

Brooke wrapped her gift to Erin in black and white paper.  This fueled my current fondness for black and white photographs.

It should come as no surprise to anyone that Brooke gave her sister a book for her birthday.

"The Birthday Girl"

She also received bracelets and a watch.  She has never had a "grown-up lady" watch so, despite her college education, she had trouble figuring out how the clasp worked.

Edgar gave Erin a nice framed collage of pictures from their recent trip to Portland.

It is nice to get together with the whole family two nights in a row.

"Same Girls, Different Birthday"

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ERIN!! 

357/365-2 Sad Santa

"Guard Dog"

He wouldn't wear a Santa hat, but Adidas has his serious "sad lab face" on.  He feels it necessary to guard the gifts that are under the tree.  It is a tough job, but someone has to do it.

356/365-2 Ready

"Naughty? Maybe. 25? Definitely."

These two are ready to party.  The "naughty" one celebrated her 25th birthday today.  She and her "nice" sister spent the day shopping and eating (and maybe drinking a little, too.)  All that was followed by a family dinner and sharing of gifts tonight.

Neither one of them was really dressed for a portrait.  The naughty one had on ridiculously high heels making her way taller than her sister and thus making it impossible, in terrible light, for me to focus on both of them.  The nice one's hat was casting a weird shadow on her face.  Oh well, this is what they looked like today.

Happy birthday, Brooke!

355/365-2 In the Kitchen

'Santa????"

I forgot to post this here yesterday because I posted it on Facebook early in the day thinking I would take a more appropriate photo for my official photo of the day.  That didn't happen so this is it.  What does it have to do with "in the kitchen?" About the only thing is that this silly idea was hatched and planned while standing in the kitchen.  And no, we had not been sipping on the eggnog.

354/365-2 With the Tree

"O' Christmas Tree!"

You may notice that there are no ornaments on the lower branches of the tree nor are there any gifts under the tree.  The absence of both of these things is due to the presence of the cat with/in/under the Christmas tree.