Cynthia, Erica, Jordan, Kevin and Dad got together a day before Thanksgiving to put up the Christmas tree. Kevin was a little more useful than I was during the process. Really, I tried my best to keep out of the way as I was constantly reminded that I was 'in the way'. I mean, 'just let me do it, Dad' sounded like a reversal of roles for Dad and his kids. At the end, Erica took the honors of placing the star atop the Christmas tree. Michelle couldn't make it down as she had plans for Thanksgiving in Temple with Clint's family. Fortunately, Michelle, Clint and Sophia did make it for Christmas. Here is Sophia getting in the Christmas mood with her Santa hat!

And what goes better with Christmas more than a family gathering to make the holiday tamales! The only thing more fun than making them is eating them with beans and chili spread on top! (I actually got to eat them without having to put in any work at all! he-he)

About a week before Christmas, Cynthia, Jordan, Kevin and I went to the "LIGHTS ALIVE" Christmas light show at the rifle range close to my house. It was a fantastic computerized light display that moved to music. Here are a series of pictures from that show.

And then Christmas came early this year to accommodate everyone's work/school schedule. Also, we now had the added "tired-mom" syndrome with two new recent additions to the family, Sophia and Stella. To the left, Andrew gets a Boston Red Sox (his favorite team) bottle opener. To the right, Dad helps hand out presents.

Dad gets a new hat from Cynthia. This came from the UFO museum in Roswell, NM and yes, Dad is a true believer in UFO's (not really, but enjoys the fantasy fun).

Below are pictures taken both at home and at the Stone Werks Restaurant on Culebra and 1604 in San Antonio where we enjoyed great drinks and great fun. A toast was made to Mom at the beginning of the meal.