December Happenings

In December we made our somewhat usual trip to the Monterey Bay area. We saw old friends for a couple of days, and then met Tanna, Stephen, Sulwen, and Nancy at the house we rented in Pacific Grove, near the golf course and the ocean. First stop for Sulwen, Amelia, and I was the beach with the waves crashing in the background. We eventually headed back to the house, with a stop for a shot of the scenic route along the way. The next day there was time for play with Nanny and Grammy. Looking at the beach collection was a lot of fun. In the afternoon we all got dressed up to go to the the Nutcracker at the Sunset Center in Carmel. Tanna and Sulwen are ready to go. It was a good show! On our checkout day, there was some playtime with Sulwen. Then Nanny and Sulwen hit the beach. They were pretty serious shell collectors. With timeout for some sand shoveling. Sulwen does love the beach. Alas, it was time to head for our respective homes.

Only one week later, Tanna and Sulwen came to Oregon for the Christmas Season. Hailey came over, and a whole lot of cookie decorating went on. Do those look good, or what? Of course, it all takes real concentration. In the meantime, Pipit hangs out, and Wicket hides out (that's why you don't see him). Grammy gets some satisfaction reading a Christmas book, while Tate does his imitation of Pipit. The mantel over the fireplace has been decorated, as well as the hutch, and the Christmas bears are doing their thing.

The next day we journied up into the mountains to see our friends, the Kings, and to explore the forest around their home for a Christmas tree. We found one easily, and here I am with Sulwen and Tanna in front of the tree. The master tree cutter went to work as in days of old and tree was soon down (long time since we cut our own tree; in fact, long time since we even had Christmas at home so we had a Christmas tree). The ever present Pipit stands guard. Sulwen loves the snow almost as much as the beach. The tree is tied to the top of van for the voyage home. But first, there is a small gift exchange between the Kings and the Frankes and Drapkins. Sulwen was delighted with her new doll. MK is enjoying the anticipation of what's in that package. Dick appears to be happy. And the other Dick, likes his ear warmer, even better when he figured out how it works. People like books. After that a bit of lunch to ward off the chill while dring home. Oh, one more thing. Sulwen performs a dance to entertain the rest of us. Well done.

The next morning when I went to get the paper, there was a lovely crescent moon. Later there was some swinging going one, and eventually it got competitive.

One day Hailey and Bill gave a party. Didn't get many pictures, but apparently Amelia said something amusing to Bill's Mom, Jane. Oh yes, in the interveening time, Stephen arrived, and here he looks like he's having a good time, along with Tanna and Sulwen. Bill's son Rob, and Betsy are enjoying the party. Bill's pondering. Hailey, Tanna, and Sulwen. Meanwhile, our Franke angel, seeming to have found a comfortable place, oversees the proceedings. If you have a fast connection you can download this video of Sulwen dancing (I don't have an editor or I would have shortened it).

The next day, Christmas eve, found Sulwen getting the nativity scene unpacked and ready to set up. And here is the result, which is admired by Grandad. Then the Christmas stockings were hung by the fireplace, with care. Later, it was time to open just one present (well, each, or course). Wicket and Pipit are really interested in what Stephen was getting for them. Ah yes, and Sulwen's new doll bed is in the background.

Christmas morning! Time to unload the stockings. Sulwen is really happy with her new doll bed, complete with storage box. She is greatly amused at Grandad's car. The new chopsticks were a great hit! Time for a little relaxation in front of the fireplace with her doll. Enough of that; let's have a little wrestling match with Pipit. Here's Sulwen trying out her new sewing kit. When Bill and Hailey came a little later, it was time for the serious gift opening. Stephen got a new mug. Bill and Hailey dug into something, but I don't recall what, exactly. Tanna seems pretty happy with her gift. Bill and Hailey look pleased with their bottle of really good olive oil. Sulwen got a new American Girl doll to go with her other new American Girl doll. Finally, it is time for dinner, with some more ready than others. Afterward, some of the fruits of the homemade Christmas Crackers are enjoyed with a bit of clowning around. After all that frivolity, it was time to try for a group shot, using the time-tested (not always successfully) triple time-delayed shot. Out of two sets, only one of which I didn't make it into, here is the best of six group picture.

It was a great Christmas holiday, indeed, a great December.