Christmas Eve 2007 / The Fellowship of the Ring

"A Long-expected Party"

The build up to Christmas Eve was unbelievable. Deirdre knew something was up. Unfortunately right before the holidays Deirdre also wanted to share the "Christmas Spirit" with everyone and we all caught the flu. Most of Christmas Eve is a fog.

"The Shadow of the Past"

Watching Deirdre open up her presents made me a bit sad as I knew it would. I couldn't help but think of mom, both because she loved buying things for Deirdre, but also because while looking at my child I constantly saw my mother in her. Something about her features now remind me of my mom. Several people have commented on this too.

"Three is Company"

Our guests this Christmas Eve were the usual suspects: Rachael, Dad, and Becky. Our original plan was to have the celebration at the Pietra's, but due to our sicknesses, they came to us...and were infected themselves. Hey I learned to share!

"A Conspiracy Unmasked"


Or at least in the process of being unmasked here... you never know what you are going to find in those "mimi becky / grandad" presents.

After the official unmasking has taken place.

"A Shortcut to Mushrooms"

Deirdre playing with her little "gnome and fairy" boot/playhouse, complete with mushroom table and chairs!!! You thought I was stretching the mushroom title, didn't you? DIDN'T YOU?

A closer examination of the inhabitants of Bootville.

"Lothlorien"

Cause see...her name is Lorien. See how that fits? Come on, it's clever!

"Not idly do the leaves of Lorien fall" - but Lorien falls pretty easily.

"The Council of Elrond"

I would be referring to the "elf" ears here. Plus we all know that Deirdre is going to vote to "cast it into the fire from whence it came" which sounds an awful lot like you know who...

Even Elrond needs to occasionally consult a parent in matters of world wide destruction, etc.

"In the House of Tom Bombadil"

After all presents were opened, all food had been eaten, and all guests left, Nathan and I blew up over 25 balloons and filled the living room for Deirdre and Lorien to come down to in the morning. We were quite happy with our creation and looked forward to seeing the girls and their reactions.