Christmas

Christmas came and went. We had a wonderful holiday. It began with buying a Christmas tree.

Every year we go to the same (expensive) place in the middle of Place des Ternes not far from the Arc de Triomphe.

The same big blonde woman sells us the tree every year. She remembers us from year to year, which is nice. The boys like that.

She now lives in Spain but returns every year to help out with the tree sales. In recent years she was dressed in her son's army fatigues. Not this year.

There is always a discussion about which tree to buy. I push for the biggest we can possibly fit into the apartment. Anna and the boys are more conservative. I usually win.

This year we got a really big tree. It was delivered that evening.

The delivery guys had to cut about a foot off the top in order to stand the tree up. It was beautiful.

The big day arrived and the boys were up early. Once everyone was assembled, the boys tore open their presents.

The adults did, too.

Anna roasted a big turkey with all the trimmings.

The conversation was lively!

Some of us worked off the meal playing cricket.

True had asked Santa for a cricket set and, lo and behold, Eugene and Suzie brought one from the states!

Anna played.

Eugene played.

Mako played.

Even the old man played a bit.

Though he missed.

The boys found that amusing.

Good old Sky.

Some of us got our excercise by climbing to the top of Mont St. Michel.

It was a long, long climb.

But beautiful from the top.

It was a great way to end the holiday.

Click on this one and look at it larger, it's a beautiful scene.