Christmas

Sorry, guys, but this is all there is.  I lost my camera filled with Christmas pictures.  There are no remaining photos of me reading the Christmas story, or Scott's family singing "Hang Up the Baby's Stocking," or Jonny and Sophie toasting the most perfect marshmallows at the cabin.  All that survived, on Jonny's and my iPhones, were these two pictures of the Christmas tables, and one of Dave and Sophie's birthday party. 

The Christmas table may be too mercenary to show the true Christmas spirit, but it certainly was fun.  All the children, high school age and below, threw dice to get a position, and then took turns choosing from the table above. Mike acted as agent for two-month old Audrey, and was unopposed for the pink sweater and tiny pink dress in the foreground.  The Wubbles, stuffed whale, and fuzzy knee socks were hot commodities. 

The young adults' table, for which I don't have a photo, was curated by Naomi, and included board games, woolly blankets, massage certificates, silver necklaces, and jams.  The siblings' and spouses' table, above, overflowed with treasures--a robotic vacuum, a Vitamix, a set of All-Clad pots and pans, a sterling silver Thai serving spoon, Ethiopian scarves, cookbooks and "thought" books, REI running shorts and pullovers, and the usual collection of cash.  I save up all the "good behavior" money I earn at my law firm for turning my bills in on time, and I add it to the Christmas table.  Dave and I also won a $500 massage certificate at a political fundraiser this year, and we put that on the table, as well.  It was fun to watch my children's poker faces as they tried to convince their sibs they were really not interested in that item.  It was also fun to collect presents all year, as shiny items caught my eye!

On December 26, we always celebrate Dave's and Sophie's joint birthday.  They have a bit in common--both are witty and are pleased, rather than frightened, to be the center of attention.  They both are individualistic, and delightfully unconcerned about what other people think.  This year, after dinner, Mike and Jonny interviewed Dave and Sophie about their worlds and worldviews.  When they asked what clothes were popular when Dave and Sophie were teenagers, Sophie showed her levis, slit at the knees!  We sang "Happy Birthday" and ate cake.