Day 14 - Last Waiting - 25 Dec 2010

There are many traditions in the Roth house around Christmastime. One that I enjoy and the kids participate in reluctantly is to wait at the top of the steps for me to take their picture on Christmas morning. Do they appreciate the fact that they get one extra minute of anticipation to enjoy?

Day 12 - Happy Golden Days - 23 Dec 2010

This is my sweet Lorraine enjoying the glow of the Christmas tree on Christmas Eve Eve. Maybe the best day of Christmas is the 23rd because everything is still ahead, but so close you can taste it. Does Lorraine realize this while she poses for this picture? Of course not, she is a guitar.

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Day 3 - Fat Santa - 14 Dec 2010

I guess collecting Santa Clauses is our thing. Of all the Santas we have, this one is definitely in my top three. Those following along might ask if two shots of a Santa in front of blurry tree lights already is too many. To you I say: just wait.

Ready

Day 359



Ah, the sweet torture of those last moments before you can go downstairs on Christmas morning to see what the big man has brought for you. My poor children get these last moments prolonged so that I can capture the anticipation, as well as the growing annoyance.

Twas

Day 358



Whoever it was that decided it would be a good thing to leave Ol' Santa some cookies and milk on Christmas Eve deserves a medal. I'm quite sure that at some point after I took this pictures, this delicious snack was consumed and enjoyed very much, thank you.

1701-E

Day 357



Ten years ago, the Mrs. and I took all the change we had collected a large Snapple bottle, and converted it into cash money via Coinstar. We decided that this qualified as "found" money, and thus decided to spend it frivolously. I used my half to purchase this Hallmark Keepsake ornament of the Starship Enterprise 1701-E.

The Mrs. mocked my choice, and said that this was even a waste of found money. She must not have realized at the time how this ornament would continue to bring pleasure year after year. I'd say this was money well spent.

So what did she wisely spend her half of the money on? Neither of us even remembers.

He Sees You

Day 345



If not for a house full of Christmas decorations, I really have no idea what I would be taking pictures of at this point in the odyssey. This Kris Kringle is a new addition to the menagerie this year, and hangs on the secondary coat hooks, in the foyer under one of our many "chin mirrors". If you could see the rest of him, you'd see that he bids welcome, but by blocking the coat hooks, he also says "Don't stay too long."

Bumble

Day 335




"OK, here is the situation. The giant snow monster is holding your parents and your would-be girlfriend hostage in his cave, and is likely to eat them any time now. You go into the cave, and lure the monster out. We'll drop this giant boulder on its head, then we'll remove all its teeth."

Yeah, that is a Christmas story for the whole family.