Photos - Christmas and New Year 2008
From y2007m12d24 to y2008m01d04
Comment on this (0 so far) y2007m12d24 -
We're always late in putting up our tree and late in taking it down. I think it nice to keep it up a couple weeks after Christmas -- it prolongs the cheer.
Comment on this (0 so far) y2007m12d24 - Traditionally Mom, Rachel, and I do the decorating and Dad watches from his chair (though he also hangs up the first ornament). Telum either watches or takes down the ornaments.
Comment on this (0 so far) y2007m12d25 - Dad, Rachel, and I spent Christmas afternoon at Grandma's place, along with Aunt Beth and Mrs. Duncan.
Comment on this (0 so far) y2007m12d29 - We do a White Elephant gift exchange with the older Vogel cousins. The gifts usually blend useful and silly elements. Rachel spent a while putting together her gift.
Comment on this (0 so far) y2008m01d01 - Mom made a game involving our Mostert family tree. People could fill in the names and also match names with photos that Mom had collected and posted.
Comment on this (0 so far) y2008m01d01 - Rachel had Dad's name and bought him a MP3 player. I got to help her buy it and also load up songs on it. I've never actually used an MP3 player before so it was a new experience. Mom also gave him an FM transmitter so he can use it in the car, but we've not tried that out yet.
Comment on this (0 so far) y2008m01d04 - Our immediate family gift exchange wasn't until 4th (giving ample time for post-Christmas deal-snagging). Mom cooked up all kinds of fine finger foods and we watched an episode from Rachel's Planet Earth DVD series (which she got from Aunt Pam).
Comment on this (0 so far) y2008m01d04 - Mom is fond of popping the bubbles in plastic packing wrap. Some of the people at the office know this and give me bubble wrap to take home. I packed one of Mom's gifts very liberally in the stuff so she'll be well supplied for quite some time.
Comment on this (0 so far) y2008m01d04 - Rachel gave each cat a flossing, catnip-enriched, fabric mouse toy. Telum unwrapped his jiffyquick-like and was high before you could say "catnip kills brain cells".
Comment on this (8 so far) y2008m01d04 - Ard wasn't quite as quick to open and play with his catnip mouse -- I don't think he has experienced catnip much before.