Bobbie

My Grandpa Bobbie passed away this morning. We knew he wasn't well and while working on a crossword lastnight, I started writing down some of the things I didn't want to forget about Bobbie.

He tought me:

• my love of crosswords
• about the benefits of living at the beach
• the importance of a comfortable leather chair
• the warmth of velour
• how to blow cigar smoke rings
• to golf with patience, courtesy and most importantly mulligans
• to savor stilton
• the enjoyment of getting dolled up to go out and see a show
• about the comfort of m&m soup
• the value of old friendships
• the luxory of a pedicure
• the comedy of cheers and seinfeld and the importance of TV Guide (Bobbie would have loved DVR)
• the necessity of faith and specific to ours, confession
• how a hot tub is not a hot tub unless it is HOT
• the importance of an early and long retirement
• to love children and enjoy your favorites as often as possible

You are my favorite Bobbie. Here's to you - happy travels!

Consider this Your Christmas Card

Sorry folks, only one mass-mailing per year from this clan and Lucy's birth filled that quota for this year. So, Merry Christmas all! Lots of love around here these last few days. We hope you all are having as much fun! Off to Santa's Workshop - still have 12 hours for those last minute projects!

Good Eats

Prime rib, blue cheese scalloped potatoes, grilled asparagus, bread pudding, chocolate mouse all made more enjoyable by some very old and special spode (wedding gift from Grandma Freeman), beautiful crystal salt wells (from Grandma Thompson) and lovely "M" linen napkins (from Aunt Jessica). Who can wait up for Santa after a meal like that?

"I can't put my arms down"...

...and no, Henry has not been tipping the egg nog.

Oh Santa

This is as close as Henry got without tears this year. Lucy broke Santa in for sure - it was hilarious to see him seconds later trying to put her binkie back in with his gloves on. Nice try Santa - we still love you, well sort of.

Oh Christmas Tree

What's with our Charlie Brown/National Lampoons tree this year?

• 2 hour drive into the woods with 2 kids


• a potty training Henry


• wrong tree farm gate key


• a short hike into the woods to the first unsuspecting Hemlock we stumbled upon


• it was either this or a Christmas Fern, we were coming home with something or we would have heard about it from the backseat for 2 hours

Henry awoke from his nap that day and walked out to see the tree standing in the living room and declared, "this is a good tree Dad".

What Mess?

"wook, I drew and ewaphant"

Zoo Lights '09

Well, we had a rockin' time at Zoo lights with Will and Malia or "Maria" as Henry has been calling her. So funny that his variation of her name is another name...just can't get over the sound of it. Anyway, back to the rockin'...we will call ahead next year to make sure that the teen idol band that was singing to Run DMC Christmas music will be there again next year. Truly awesome - so worth it!

Lovin' Aunt Jess

Who doesn't love Aunt Jess? She is a superstar and I love this photo of her with her nephews and niece cuddled around her just trying to get some last minute Aunt Jess time in before she is Mama Jess. We welcome that day!

Stockings

Happy Birthday Girls

Fun dinner lastnight for Courtney, Malia and Heidi all with December Birthdays. We really enjoyed the time spent with all of you. Thanks to Mr. Jon for making plans for all of us to get together, you three girls for turning 30 (so young by the way), bigger thanks to Grandma Pati and Grandpa Al who babysat and to top it off it snowed! What a night.

Found

We are so lucky that Lucy has such a kind Brother. I can safely leave her with him (as long as I can hear them) a room away and I love that when I come back to check on them a few minutes later, he has been loving her in some Henryish way, reading to her or just sitting together talking as I found them this day. I hope they will always be pals.

LHS

Jack and I had a date the other night to see our talented friends (pl) band, Left Hand Smoke play in Tacoma, WA. They are always fun to see perform and visiting with Mrs. O'Mahony of LHS was just as fun. She came over early to visit with the kids. Henry has always had a special affection for both Heather and Ronan...and it was obvious Lucy felt it too.

PS. Welcome to Mr. Andrew Mish - first band baby that I am aware of! Can't wait to meet you.