Christmas -- a little late.

At last ... pictures from the family Christmas get-together of 2012.  Mom & Dad came down from Austin to the home that my sister, brother and I share in San Antonio.  We did minimal decorating but lots of cooking.  Likewise, we mostly gave silly "joke" gifts but celebrated mightily.  Here are some of my favorite pics of some of my favorite people in the whole world.

My Mom,the queen of us all ... at 89 still beautiful.

My Daddy, sweetest man in the world.

Brother Craig and his newest bestest friend.  He
got his good looks from Mom and his generosity from Dad.

My beautiful sister Suzanne didn't like this picture of her,
so I Photoshopped a paper bag over her head!

Here's me as Santa (the shirt says "Does this suit
make me look fat?") in the Christmas Corner.  The
tree skirt was hand-stitched by my grandmother
about 50 years ago.

Christmas breakfast.  I can't believe we didn't take pictures of
the Christmas feast, later!  I guess we were too busy eating it!

As with most families these days, we were missing a few members for the holiday ... my  brother Don and his family who live out of state, my nephew Colter who couldn't join us, and those who have "gone before us."  Nevertheless, we all enjoyed each others' company and the celebration of the season.   Here's hoping you did too.

A Round Top Christmas

Only in Round Top, Texas ...


... does a Christmas parade begin and end with the Texas and American flags,


... include not one but two llamas,


... the obligatory longhorn / rooster / sombrero lead car,


... Santa's elves wear camouflage and clown-orange caps,

... and end with a Civil War-era cannon, the American flag, and Lady Liberty!



Last but not least, I just had to take a picture of this adorable little girl, the daughter of a local artist. Looks like she's inherited her mother's sense of style!

This was a lovely town parade, with most everyone participating. The town square is so small that the parade had to go around several times, so it would last a little longer!