Xmas 2007 in Pictures

As we began our 8-hour trek across America's heartland, R and I witnessed several reminders as to the reason for the season. This giant cross is located just outside of Effingham, Illinois, home of a unique coffee shop called Starbucks.

Eventually, we arrived in West Liberty to hang out with Mom and Dad. Bea terrorized Bodhi, but we had an enjoyable evening and lazy morning.

Soon, we were off again to Toledo to visit Grandma, Grandpa, and Uncle Tim. While there, Mom decided to give Aunt Pam a ring.

(Aunt Pam, here are the photos of everyone talking to you on the phone...so that you don't forget what we look like.)




Nate, Kate, and I even paused long enough for a holiday photo...
Later that evening, R and I drove up to Ortonville, MI where her family's lake house is located. Along with R's brother, sister-in-law, mother, niece, and nephew, we enjoyed a hearty Christmas Eve dinner of Polish deliciousness...and vodka.



























It was fun to experience Christmas morning with kids again as our niece and nephew opened up many fun gifts. I too got into the spirit of the morning and baked a brioche that tasted fine (despite a lack of vanilla) but did not look much like Santa Clause.


















That's all for now.

Ho Ho Ho

Looking forward to seeing everyone! Zac and Rebecca, I hope you decide to come this way on Saturday (Bodhi too, of course!). Call to fill us in.

Practice Post

I thought Bea should have her picture published online as she is helping me right now!

Hopefully this works - I guess I have become a bit computer-challenged since leaving my job.

How to Post on this Blog

Here are the directions for posting on the blog with pictures.

1. Go to http://www.blogger.com.
2. Enter your email and password.
3. Find Famille à la Maison and click on "New Post"
4. Be sure to enter a title and type your text in the box.
   

There are some options to make the text look the way you want or to add hyperlinks and pictures.

• To make a hyperlink to another web page: highlight the word(s) you want to link, click the icon that looks like the earth with a chain link, enter the entire url (address), and click "OK".
• To add a picture: click the icon that looks like a photo of a landscape, click "browse" to search through your files for the picture you want to publish, choose the size and alignment, click "upload", click "done", and you can move the picture to where you want it in relation to the text or other images.

Once you have the text, hyperlinks, and pictures down, run the spell-check which is the icon with the check-mark and "abc".

Now you can publish by clicking the icon of the same name.

I hope this helps.

Snow in Misery

Here's the view out the back door...

Happy (belated) Birthday, Kate!

I was prepared to blog something nice about Kate for her birthday, but, like a lame brother, I missed my opportunity. Plus, I apparently only blog about Kate's more questionable moments.

Whatever. Happy 28th, Kate! It's hard to believe that this was once you in your first ballet recital.

Christmas Wreath

A warm "thank-you" goes out to Grandma and Grandpa for the nice wreath they sent us this week. Since we had planned not to spend the holidays in Misery (aka Missouri), we had not done any decorating. This fragrant gift at least gives our house a sense of festivity.

Hi

Hey Zac,

Thanks for the invite. Nice chair, nice basement for that matter. Looking forward to the blog, though I will have to warn ya, I'm not much of a writer. As of Friday the vearly email will not be an option, so use gnfnrvee (at) aol (dot) com. Yeah, there is plenty goin on.....

The Chair Mom Bought Us

Here are some pics of the chair Mom bought us over Thanksgiving weekend. It's located in our basement, just outside of my office/guest room.