Old Friends Again

. . . though these are not from as long ago as some of those we've seen in the last six weeks. These are friends from our Baytown days, so our friendship dates from fifteen or twenty years ago.

When Diana lived down the street from us, her two older kids were little bitty and darling; they are now teenagers and just as darling. And now there's another darling kid, though he had fallen asleep by the time we took this photo, and so did not pose. His friend was happy to take his place, though!

 It was such fun to see have Diana and family here, and we felt honored that Alci- Lou happened to be in town on a weekend trip home from college, and also that Eddie was able to join us -- they are both delightful young people.

 Pat, another old Baytown friend, rounded out the party -- and, of course, his excellent dog Captain (here apparently staring down Annie, keeping her off of her porch).

And an old photo of Diana with young Nicholas, asleep here as well. Diana's smile tells all about her joie de vivre -- she always makes me smile and laugh.

Christmas 2013

Back in Texas this Christmas, which means that we are able to enjoy the season with family and friends -- and that we are nice and warm.  Last Christmas was one of those sweet, simple holidays on the boat in Virginia, but while this one was somewhat less low-key, it was no less unusual than the last one, at least the Christmas Eve part.

Christmas Eve

Hoi Ching, Gerrilynn's exchange student from Hong Kong, Gerrilynn, Pat, me, Tom, attired in some of our gifts.  Pat sports a tie and cap from Gerrilynn, I have donned the most excellent hat she gave to me plus the most excellent Underarmour sweatsuit that Tom gave to me, and Tom proudly wears his Gerrilynn-gift-cap plus the "disentangling" puzzle that she gave him; this explains, maybe, the clawlike pose of his hand.

 Gerrilynn gave Hoi Ching this wonderful teddy bear, and many other wonderful surprises.

. . . and she surprised Pat with this fish candle holder for his New Mexico home.  Tom tried it on:

Tom and Pat looking dashing in their caps.

It was a fun Christmas Eve.

Christmas Day
We dined on a wonderful traditional turkey dinner at Susan and Marion's house in Beaumont, exchanged gifts, and generally enjoyed their company.

 The boys will be leaving for a "Young Life" snow ski trip in Colorado on the 27th; in the meantime, they relax with their dogs.

Susan and her dad