Christmas Day 2008

Everyone gathered at our house this morning. It was 10:30 by the time everyone got there and we settled down to gift opening. It was wild for a while and, as usual, difficult to watch all the little ones open their gifts. They were so busy. I don't know how their parents kept up with their gifts! Gage was pretty calm, actually. He got some books and immediately settled down to read, oblivious to the bedlam going on around him.

We had decided to change the menu from the traditional (for our family) turkey & dressing and all the rest. So, this year we had prime rib that Wendy had seen in the Target flyer. This was a heat in the bag boneless product. We also had salad, fresh asparagus, a hashed brown potato casserole, rolls and pecan pie. It was all very good...and actually fairly easy. Carolyn and I would still like to dumb it down more, but Wendy is resisting. The prime rib was really good...very tender and a really nice flavor. Carolyn made horseradish sauce to go with it which was a big hit.

Here's a video and some photos from the day...

"I'm Getting Nothing for Christmas!"

The kindergarten classes at Myatt Elementary presented the Christmas program this year. They marched in, two classes at a time, and climbed up on the risers. They had seven groups in all. This video featured Gage's group. He's in the middle in front of the sleigh. The teacher was sitting in front of me, so that's why all the children are looking in that direction. I sat on the floor in front of the first row of parents...that's why I had an unobstructed view. I hope you enjoy the video of their song.

To be still or not to be still...

Robin is the merchandising/marketing manager at New ICM, a manufacturer of children's sleepwear, etc. At least, I think that's what her department is. At any rate, one of the things that she does there is get the catalog together to send to the retailers. This includes taking photos of kids modeling the products. Naturally, she thinks her nieces and nephews are pretty cute, so she has enlisted their help in getting pictures of some of the products. They are in the Spring/Summer 2009 catalog which can be found at newicm.com.

Last weekend, she brought some new plaid pajamas and gowns for the kids to model for the Fall/Winter 2009 catalog. So, I'm posting some of the photos that were taken with my camera. My camera is nice, but not nearly fast enough for this type of work. Very few of the photos capture all of the kids in focus. Somebody is always moving. They were wild. Robin decided toward the end that the best photos were the ones in which she just let the kids be themselves, rather than trying to make them pose.

Unfortunately, 18 month old Carlee was forced into a size 12 month gown. It was obviously too small...so, she'll probably end up on the cutting room floor! I haven't seen the photos Robin took. I'm hopeful that they are better than mine.