Christmas Fun

This is our annual Christmas Eve "Shepherd's Meal." We have what we interpret to be middle-eastern foods while we read Luke 2. We imagine we are the shepherds receiving the glad tidings of Christ's birth. This year our spread included cheese-stuffed olives, crackers, various cheeses, hummus, and pineapple actually (very middle-eastern indeed! We thought we'd add a tropical twist). In past years we actually dressed up as shepherds, but this year we felt too sophisticated.

Picking Up Abe :)

Abe flew into the tiny Alpena Airport from Page, Arizona (where he lives) on December 23. It had been so long since we'd seen each other...I was so happy to get him all to ourselves for ten days!! So, we thought we'd spice up the normal picking-up affair. Jake consented to dress up like Santa Claus and had a sign around his neck which read "Lost: Abe C". We excitedly waited and watched as the plane pulled up and passengers started shuffling out. Jake had a bell which he rang as passengers came into the airport. The rest of us hid behind a eucalyptus tree (yes, you can get away with that kind of craziness in Alpena...). When Abe came in he took one look at Jake and turned in the opposite direction, discovering our hiding spot at the same time! He didn't even recognize Jake (he's grown a lot) and thought he was one of the Salvation Army people asking for donations! Not having any spare change, he made a U-turn. Anyway, it was quite humorous. It was fab to have Abe back.