Here's a collection of pictures from this Christmas
The famous Christmas zebra, under suspicion by Chloe
Christmas zebra in focus
There's something extra under the tree this year....
you can see her a bit better in this picture
nativity set from Brandma Buzzo
the living room
living room with tree
my litttle helper
Christmas Zebra leaving the enchanted forest
our house
Christmas Zebra leaving the enchanted forest - at night
elephant and UFO tree (we call it the UFO tree because it puts this really weird green glow behind our study blinds)
The Chrismtas Seal!
I have found that is an age-dependent joke - under a certain age, people just look at me blankly.
So, for my younger viewers, Christmas seals were something our mailbox became inundated with from
charity organizations. I haven't seen one in years.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_seal
The Christmas seal say hi!
our decorations at night
our decorations at night
Our tree (most of those presents were for Hanna, Will, Valerie and Maddie)
My mom bought this wreath for me a few years ago at the Foothills Art Center.
Our tree at night
The Christmas Zebra
our house at night plus moon
our house at night plus moon
extra present revealed!
Our 2009 ornament commemorating Mike's graduation. The angels were made by Grandma Buzzo
Our 2009 ornament commemorating Mike's graduation
This is how Chloe spent as much of Christmas Eve as possible
kneading Mike's arm
cat blanket 1
cat blanket 2
She's very happy to have Mike home and not working on his thesis
Maddie and Valerie at Grandma Kitty's house for Christmas Eve (Mike's dad's mom)
Christmas Eve: Grandma's tree
Christmas Eve: lots of food!
Christmas Eve: Grandma's little town
Getting ready to hand out presents.
Rannae and Valerie
Valerie spent a bit of time pointing out the figures in Grandma's table
Maddie collapsed on the floor mimicking the clown on the cover of a birthday card Mark got
Valerie rescuing(?) her
Maddie helped hand out gifts. From left to right: Mike's uncle Mark,
his dad Terry, Mark's daughter Sarah, his mom Gwenn, Maddie, Grandma, and Auntie Linda
Gwenn, Grandma, Maddie, Mike's cousins Mark and Robert with Valerie, and Robert's fiancee Racheal
Mike with Aunt Bella and Rob
me and Mike
Valerie playing with Grandma's collection of lost puzzle pieces.
Valerie, Uncle Mark, Terry, Sarah, Gwenn, Grandma, Racheal, Auntie Linda
Rannae helping the girls open their sippee cups
Maddie enjoying her sippee cup
had to get a close-up of that pose :>)
Gwenn, Grandma, the girls, Mark, Robert and Racheal
Mike playing with his new tool
Aunt Bella helping Valerie with her new toy
That finally got a smile from Valerie! I spent a bit of time trying to catch her smiling.
new clothes kind of got a smile from Valerie
action shot!
Mike really liked his gift from Sarah
Valerie and the stacking blocks. I was waiting for them to get a smile...
Maddie tried to help with that endeavor
but no luck. Valerie just studied the blocks.
Mike, Aunt Bella, and Rob
new books!
We're not sure where this seal imitation came from but it was pretty funny to watch.
Terry trying to get Valerie to smile for the camera
out of focus family photo while waiting for Aunt Linda (the girls were getting restless)
We thought Rob would take a picture with me in it, but things were degenerating quickly with Valerie.
quick picture with me
family photo with Auntie Linda
Christmas morning and Rannae and Rob's house
Mike helping Dexter with his stocking
Mike helping Dexter with his stocking
Rannae and Rob's Christmas decorations
Maddie looking through her stocking while Gwenn helps Valerie with hers
Valerie getting help fro her grandma and Dexter
Rannae and Maddie going through Maddie's stocking
Rannae and Maddie going through Maddie's stocking
Maddie and the tree
Maddie and the tree. She's holding candy from her stocking
Rannae and Rob's decorations
the slinky playground
Maddie and Valerie opening gifts
and finally! a big smile from Valerie!
Last updated 25Jan2025