CHRISTMAS 2014

Debra, Ashley and I drove through rain, through snow and through bright sunshine yesterday to be in Woodburn for Christmas.  We arrived to a house in which two-thirds of the population of the house were totally amped up and ready for our arrival.

 

We played games, ate, visited and went to bed.  This morning we awoke to Christmas day.

 

 

Devon, Tim, Bethany, Naomi, Silas and Ashley started Christmas Day with a three-mile run.  Tyler, shown looking through the window, kept me entertained while the others ran.

Athletes in action.

Our first attempt at a family photo failed because Tyler was too immature to pose properly, choosing instead to reach for my bald spot.

Attempt number two at a family photo succeeded once the distraction was removed from Tyler's reach.

Surname Weathersby.

Surname Perkins.

Married.

Silas reads from the Bible before gifts are exchanged.

Chewing candy.

Naomi reacts with enthusiasm to Christmas festivities.

Devon wears his new lighted headband.

Silas unwraps the 2015 edition of "Guinness World Records".

Tyler, Debra and Ashley watch Naomi open a gift.

Tim amused by Tyler who is amused by somebody else.

Debra receives an original work of art painted by Silas.

Silas performs a magic trick using two one-dollar bills.

Tyler happily receives a bag of balloons.

Bethany and Tim get a date to Woodburn's top-rated restaurant, Luis's Tacqueria.

Devon opens a gift forcefully.

Tyler gets a couple of new books...

...then gets Nana to read with him.

Tyler gives Tim a hand-made necklace.

Moustaches made it to the event.

And, in a highly anticipated moment, Bethany declares, "I know what it is! I know what it is!", as soon as she sees her other name, Bertha, on a card and as soon as she sees the size and shape of this particular gift.

Almost there.

There!

Bethany ponders a possible position for placing the painting Belinda created and gave to her as a gift.

After all the gifts are open, Tim reads "The Legend of The Three Trees", reminding us that God's plans and dreams for us supersede our own plans and dreams for ourselves.

While listening to Tim's reading, a new walkie-talkie set, sitting in a battery charger, kept beeping every minute or so.  Distracting but funny.

The event ends.