Well, it was "put-up-the-Christmas-tree" time of the year again. Boy, am I lucky that I've got 3 girls and a grand-daughter who like to do that stuff. We had a little get together at my house and all I had to provide was some pizza and alcohol and they did the rest. Here is Jordan with her favorite (and only) brother Kevin now almost 2 years old. Then Dad, Erica, Jordan and Kevin got into the picture to show off our tree. Of course, Cynthia took the picture. Michelle unfortunately wasn't there to help with the tree since she lives about 2 hours north of us in Austin, but she and Mom were in our thoughts. The tree was beautiful.

The rest of the pictures were taken on the day after Christmas, December 26. Being retired, my schedule is wide open but because we had to work around everyone's schedule for work, school, and significant others' family plans, we actually didn't get a chance to celebrate until after Christmas. This is the latest that we have celebrated Christmas, but I guess you've got to adjust.

After feasting on Chinese food and drinks made by Cynthia, our in-house bartender for the evening, Jordan started handing out presents to everyone. Michelle and I received more than our fair share of gifts. (That big gift in front of me is BB-8, a STAR WARS droid.)

Kevin, pictured in the middle, got a gift in a bag. But never took it out. He put the bag over his shoulder like a purse and walked around for the next several minutes wearing the bag as if it were the main gift. (Very funny. You had to be there!) I am pictured here wearing my new golf hat.

The picture on the left is an old photo that I recently rediscovered. It was taken in Sept 2003 at our home on Stagecoach Trail in Temple, TX. The occasion was Cynthia's birthday and she was pregnant with Jordan at the time. Connie looks happy just being with her 3 daughters. I include it to remember that although Connie is not in our pictures this year, she is always in our hearts. Erica took the photo on the right just before we started handing out the presents. (Of note, in the foreground is a machine that suppose to help you develop abs. It more or less serves as a place to hang my clothes when I want to place them somewhere. I discovered that just having the machine in close proximity does nothing for your abdominal muscles. You actually have to use it regularly for it to work. Who woulda' figured. Right! I'm just sayin'.)