Christmas 2002

Here we are, Kristin and me, at D&W. We needed to pick up some wine for one of my Dad's gifts. At this point, Kristin is still somewhat impressed with the digital camera, and my taking pictures does not really annoy her. This would change.

Okay, we got the wine, and we're on our way. We got my dad this puzzle thing you put on a bottle of wine, and you have to figure out the puzzle in order to get the wine bottle out. I think it was meant to force alcoholics to kill themselves. Kristin had the instructions with her, but was having quite a hard time getting the thing on. I laughed at her often, and she started to regret her choice to ride with me to Illinois. This is a trend that would continue.

We're at my parents' place now. Here's Kris with our nephew, Steven. His eyes only glow red like that when he's really angry, so something is obviously the matter. Throughout this day and the next there seemed to be a competition to see who was more interested in the digital cameras: Steven or my Mom. (My mom ended up winning out, cause Steven fell asleep.)

Here's my brother, Jeff. Palm-pilot ever at the ready. (Alright, I'll admit it, I waited until he got the thing out before quick snapping a shot, just so I could cite this image later, but he does use the thing a ton.) Jeff is married to Rebecca, and Steven is their son.

This is my older sister, Amy. She didn't know I was taking this picture, and appeared even less pleased a split second after this image was captured. I'd have let her pose for a better one, but how is that funny?

After a while, we all (Jeff, Rebecca, Kristin, and I) headed off to the TV room and watched Black Sheep for a while. Steven would occasionally run in, often times to attack that poor white stuffed dog on the foor there.

And here we are, ready to open presents. So we needed to pose for the obligatory "in front of the Christmas Tree" Christmas photo. My camera was towards the end of the line, so by now we are al sick of it, and we just want death to take us quickly.

This one was a little better. Okay, Back Row: Jeff, Rebecca, Amy, Steven. Front Row: Me, Kristin. We're in the Living Room, by the way, which is that room that you're not allowed in unless you're company, or it's a major holiday.

Here's my Dad with Steven.

Okay, you can barey see it, but there's a stuffed hamster dancing to "Pass the Dutchie" on the very far left. Steven is utterly perplexed by the thing, and is ultimately overtaken by the undeniable rhythm. Hard to explain, but it was quite funny to watch.

Steven discovered the stuffed white dog again, and proceeds to beat it mercilessly.

Here's that dancing hamster I was talking about. You squeeze its hand, and it dances to "Pass the Dutchie". I heard that song a LOT that night.

Steven lost interest in both the white dog and the dancing hamster when he got a toy truck. Rebecca is frantically trying to free it from its cardboard cage.

Remember before when I said Kris was not annoyed by my picture taking? Yeah, that's all over now. I'd have to wait until she'd received something pretty substantial before I dared look in her direction again.

Steven again. He got this stuffed bunny. I'm assuming this poor bunny is in for a world of hurt.

My family (My Dad, Jeff, and myself, especially) is all about trivia. Here my dad unwraps a book of American Trivia, I believe.

Here is Steven. He's starting to grasp the concept of Christmas. You rip things to pieces, and then get stuff for free. He appears to approve. Kristin and I gave him that little rocking chair behind him there.

Here's my sister-in-law, Rebecca.

She got a Celine Dion cd. It's safe to take a quick shot.

Here's my Mom. She's protecting the stuffed dog now, I think.

Here's my Dad.

Here's Amy. She saw this shot coming.

Here's Jeff. You can't tell, but the camera is about a foot away from his face. I was trying to blind him and steal his stuff, but I failed. No Tolkien for me.

Another Tolkien book for Jeff. I don't think it's Christmas without a Tolkien book for Jeff.

Dad and Steven reading.

This is Kit Fisto. I took this picture for a few reasons. First, I'm at an age when asking for Star Wars toys for Christmas would likely be reason for ridicule. (Those of you searching for the age when it isn't reason for ridicule ought to just shut up). So the fact that I was so elated to receive this gift likely seals my fate as a complete and utter failure. But more importantly, it represents something that really impressed me. Kristin and I have been unable to find this anywhere, and we've looked plenty of places (and my reputation continues to soar higher and higher... hey ladies, can you believe he's single!?). My parents were also unable to find him, and so my dad went online to get him. Truly we live in amazing times. So a round of applause to my parents, who never cease to amaze me.

This is that truck I was talking about. Steven lost interest in everything else once this thing appeared.

Here's a video clip of that dancing hamster. I knew I had a clip of it somewhere. It really is a sight to behold.

Here's Steven dancing along with the Hamster.

Another online purchase. Amy works at Van Andel for the Griffins and Rampage. This is a Griffin banner. It was quite kewl, and we were all very impressed.

My parents rule. I've got until March 24 to beat this game.

Here we go. She's got some good gifts, and I got her a DVD player, so she's willing to be in pictures again. We've both had our share of Apple Pucker at this point.... we've also had the rest of the family's shares...

Here's where I slept. Any sleep is good sleep.

This is my parents room.

Obligatory family photos on the hallway wall.

It's Christmas night, and Kris and I have to leave.

Some fun with the self timer picture taking dealie.

And here we are, right before we left. Another Christmas done and gone.

Here's my parents house while we were leaving.

Oh yeah, did I mention they got 8 inches of snow overnight? No? Well, they got 8 inches of snow overnight. Driving to church was an adventure. By the evening the plows had much of it taken care of though.

I returned home to our lovely "Charlie Brown"-esque Christmas Tree.

Here it is in all it's glory. We go all out here at the house. Special thanks to Cathy for helping us decorate it, and for giving us the tree in the first place.