Santa Claus 2019

“Hey, great idea: if you have kids, give your partner reading vouchers next Christmas. Each voucher entitles the bearer to two hours' reading time *while the kids are awake*. It might look like a cheapskate present, but parents will appreciate that it costs more in real terms than a Lamborghini.” ― Nick Hornby, The Polysyllabic Spree

Since my bearded man is away, I went to see this bearded man.

My nephew Daniel took me to Woodburn, Oregon to take a photo with Santa Claus.  It was super cold outside this tiny kiosk and I think I was the only adult guest to sit with Santa for pictures fo the day.  

Trevor is still in Hawaii, so I decided a professional photo with Santa would cheer him up.  It came out better than expected.  I also went and made copies to send to my mom.

Christopher's Christmas Jacket

“I manage a toast to the Christmas tree
and one to the sweet absurdity
in the miracle of the verb to be.
Lucky you, lucky me.”
― Miller Williams

While in Oregon, I ordered some gifts for my children in California.  My son, Christopher, gave me the wrong size.  So, when he opened his gift for Christmas 2018, his jacket was too small.  My sister, Jeri, exchanged the jacket to one that fit him better.  

Here is my handsome son with his jacket in January of 2019, when it finally got to him.  He looks cozy.  California winters are not nearly as freezing as Oregon winters.  

I'd rather be in Hawaii for a tropical Christmas under a palm tree.

Naughty Gingerbread

“Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies!” ― Francis P. Church

 

Trevor's tradition of a new ornament every year was his naughty Gingerbread Man that he got on the post-Christmas clearance rack at Hot Topic.  There's a reason it was on the clearance rack!  Alas, Trevor is a prankster.  

Christmas 2018

“The nutcracker sits under the holiday tree, a guardian of childhood stories. Feed him walnuts and he will crack open a tale...” ― Vera Nazarian, The Perpetual Calendar of Inspiration

Trevor and I had been living in Salem, Oregon, although this picture was taken at a friend's house in Keizer, Oregon.  Their names are Danny and Tanya.  

They were very kind people we met during the toxic water crisis coming from Detroit Lake that was in our drinking water.  Danny and Tanya gave us water and we became instant friends.

I always love going to Danny and Tanya's home.  They have 3 awesome kids and Danny is actually from southern California and also Polynesian.  So, he can relate to me from California and Trevor from the Islands.

Their tree smelled delicious.

Christmas in California

“Christmas is a bridge. We need bridges as the river of time flows past. Today's Christmas should mean creating happy hours for tomorrow and reliving those of yesterday.” ― Gladys Bagg Taber

 My sister, Jeri, decorates and feeds the family every year for the year-end holidays.  Here are a couple pictures she sent me while I was in Oregon.