Christmas Fun – Part I 1/2/2012

Happy New Year, and welcome to 2012!

I was wondering today if I’d ever been away from my blogs this long before.  I’m sure I’ve taken a week off at some point in time over the last three years, but I think nine days without posting just might be a record.  Hmm . . . maybe I’ve forgotten how to do this!  Just kidding.

Seriously, though, I tried really hard to stay away from the computer for the last week and a half.  I checked email and Facebook once a day, then shut it down – for the most part anyway.  I needed a break, AND I wanted to enjoy family and friends without worrying about anything more pressing than making sure everyone was comfy, fed, and having a good time.  Ted and I thoroughly enjoyed the holidays.  We’ve had family come here, and we’ve gone to family.  So much fun!

It will take today and Friday to show you all of it, so tonight will be Christmas with the Hortons and the Lewises, and Friday I’ll take you even further south for Christmas with the Hortons and the Hewitts – at the beach!

December 23 - Our first fire of the season. Peace on the ri'vah.

All was ready and waiting on Christmas Eve. The only thing missing was Blake, who arrived late that afternoon.

Blake had already enjoyed one gift opening session at his dad and step-mom's, so we all decided to wait another day until Jason and Blair arrived on Dec. 26 to have the big family gift exchange. The only ones to open gifts at our house on Christmas Day were Bear and Maddie. Bear got to carry his squirrel toy in his mouth approximately 3.2 seconds. Then Maddie swiped it and destroyed both his squirrel and her bunny.

When Jason, Blair, Beyla (their Bernese Mountain Dog) and Casey (their 15-year-old Maltese) arrived, we wasted no time getting right to the gift giving.  By far the gift that was used the most for the rest of their stay was a camera Jason had requested for Christmas – a GoPro Hero.  It’s only about 2″x 1 1/2″ and shoots high definition movies.  It’s popular with extreme sports fanatics and takes amazing still photos also.  The rest of the photos on this post were shot by Jason with his new “toy”.

One of the options on the camera is shooting in "fish-eye". Jason used that option on all the still shots. It made everything appear much BIGGER than normal, but got some really unusual photographs.

A great angle on Beyla.

The front of our house. Can you see Bear looking out the window from the kitchen?

Early morning on the sun porch. Blake reading the paper, Casey and Maddie enjoying a sunbath.

Looking into the sun porch at night. That's Blair and Blake chatting on the sofa - and I'm hidden there behind the lamp.

I  I love this! With a camera the size of half a deck of cards, Jason got our deck, all our backyard, the boathouse, the lake, and part of the park next door. Amazing technology!

High-flying flag at the end of our dock.

My absolute favorite photo of the weekend! Jason set the timer, then ran to get in the pic. Nobody's eyes are closed, and even the dogs posed.

Jason, Blair and their pups went home to Atlanta on the 27th, and Blake left on the 28th for Chattanooga to represent his company at a conference.  We loaded the truck a little after he left, took Maddie and Bear to the kennel (they were not happy at all with THAT turn of events), and off we went to Florida for Christmas with the Hewitts.  Come on back Friday for Christmas mixed with the ocean and the beach!

See you then!