Christmas Traditions Part 2

First, I give you this: My childhood friend Danielle Shaw was doing a scanning project with old pictures; I guess her parents wanted it for Christmas or something. Anyway, she wrote to me to tell me that all these old pictures were on her facebook account. Kris and I were so lucky to grow up in such a great, wholesome, and loving neighborhood. From left to right, you've got yours truly (the ninja who looks like he just crapped himself), Mikey Shaw, my sister the gypsy, and Danielle the kitty cat. And, in the background, is none other than Ms "Cha-Cha" herself--my mom. Or its Matt Fox. Either way....

Anyway, a good trip down memory lane.

Amanda does such an awesome job decorating the house that I wanted to show some of you out-of-staters just how nice our home looks. Last year, I posted a photo of our manger set, which was made by a friend of ours, who makes his living as a farrier (sp?). This is a person who makes horseshoes, and he made all our manger figures out of horseshoe nails. This year, Amanda decided Callum needed his own little manger, complete with fat little wisemen that could be inserted into little mouths....


Our tree really looks great, and it still smells nice too. I couldnt possibly photograph every little trinket, but I wanted you to get the "big picture." Amanda even slung holly and poinsettia flowers over all the window treatment thingys (I dont know what they are called, but you can see them, right?)

And my favorite part (besides the tree) would have to be our "grand staircase." Ha ha. I absolutely LOVE the nutcrackers (and some of them are worth quite a bit!) that "preside" on the steps. And I love how garland and holly berries adorn the banisters. Very classy. You can tell I have nothing to do with the decorating....

Grandpop leaves on Wednesday for New Jersey, where he'll spend Christmas with the Doveys and Chiemiegos. We'll miss him. But he came by last night to enjoy some Asian Cafe, and I snapped this picture of Ensign and "future Ensign" sharing a moment. I just love this picture--Callum is so focused on his "P-Pop." Callum is very lucky to have both been loved and held by two of his great grandparents. I never knew any of my greats, and neither did Amanda. So Callum, grandpop, and Amanda and I are all very blessed to see this happen.

So how about that picture of my mom?

I think next I'll write about Christmas movies....not just the "mainstream" ones, but the "cult classics." I will not, however, write about Christmas albums....Christmas albums are where recording artists go to die. Except NKOTB--whose Christmas album kicked ASS!