Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve at the Hansons is all about family and food: Tomato aspic, crispy potatoes, jello salad and the best grilled ham in memory.






Uncle Brent, Aunt Judy and cousin Becky, sitting here with Grandma Hanson, drove three hours to join us. Fortunately, it was a beautiful day for a drive: 50 degrees and sunny. We witnessed an awesome sunset just before we began tearing into the presents.

Claire entertained everyone waiting for the food and drink.



The hosts of the party finally got to sit and relax, surrounded by candles, when the official unwrapping ceremony began.



Uncle Claude and Grandma Hanson check out some Oregon wine.



The present giving continued late into the evening and even the next day.



But, as Claire quickly learned, even on Christmas, you can't always get what you want.



Wasn't dad's fault. Promise.

Hannah

Six days in Illinois visiting granny and granddad. What a treat. The highlight for Claire was Hannah and all the accessories that surround her. Like her whistle. More on that later.



There's nothing better for a kid than a year-old yellow lab. Claire and Hannah share several things in common. Both were born November a year ago. Both like balls.



Claire greeted Hannah each morning with a "Hi." When Claire couldn't find "dog," she often asked to go outside to visit Hannah in her kennel.





The highlight, though, was the whistle. Claire saw granddad blow it once and caught on immediately.



She asked for both of his whistles nightly and paraded around the kitchen blowing like her grandparents do when they go outside to call Hannah in for the night.



We heard the whistles on Christmas day.

The Grinch that stole Christmas

No, eggnog was not involved.

Been a long time

Lots of stuff has happened. The proof's in the wrapping paper strewn all over the floor.





Nana and papa visited from New Mexico, celebrated Thanksgiving here, ate turkey, bought presents, enjoyed the fireplace, read to their granddaughter.



Claire especially liked playing ball with the grandparents.



The presents came in waves. First, the late birthday gifts. Then, the early Christmas gifts. Heck, yesterday, she opened another gift from her other grandparents.



Fortunately, we adults get in on the gifts, too. Otherwise, they'd never come unwrapped.



Claire is motoring all over the place now in rapid fashion. She's so adept, it's almost as if she's always walked. Still doesn't seem like she should be walking at all. She stands less than two feet tall. She doesn't stomp. She falls on her rump easily with an "Umph." Her feet go pitter-patter-pitter-patter on our fir floors. But she practically runs now. The pets duck for cover. It's all over but the shouting.


Especially, when all the clothes come off....




Yes, nana and papa bought her this stroller and 14-inch doll. Claire saw it and immediately proceeded to roll it around the house for 20 minutes at a time. Here, she seems giddy, almost plastered, which she often does when she's allowed to run naked. But usually she's very serious when she pushes this thing. She keeps her head down, pushing steadily, focusing intently on the baby or the front wheels or some imaginary object directly in front of her path. It's a big responsibility.

Claire also experienced her first snow storm. You can't tell it's snowing from this picture?



Well, that's how it is in Portland. We celebrate winter a flake at a time, and that's what Claire and I did on our day off together Monday (Nana and papa stayed indoors? You think they're from the Southwest or something?).