Behind the times: Part I

Since it has taken a week (no exaggeration) of trying to get these pictures loaded I thought I'd release them for public consumption even though there are several more to come.

Hey. It worked for JK Rowling. They just kept on coming back.

So here's a little taste of our Christmas past.We stayed for the first week at the house I grew up in with my parents. The day before we got there, my dad had his entire knee replaced.So Reggie did his best to make him feel better. I think it worked. Once the snow on the canyon roads was cleared a little,


We headed up Little Cottonwood Canyon to the Mountain House to get things ready for the Christmas Eve celebration and enjoy a little mountain air and firelight.

My dad recovered more quickly than I assured him was wise. But what do I know. Christmas is a time of miracles after all. Van discovered the blissful independence of a walker. Even though his legs were still a little too short for actual escape, he loved sitting and playing on his own. With an occasional cousin coming over to chew on his toys from the other side.With Christmas Eve came the reenactment. From left to right we have Isaac- shepherd, Henry- grumpy shepherd(the picture didn't capture the sweet little scowl), Abby-Mary, Paul- cowboy wiseman, Peter-Joseph, and Maren-costume designer and set dresser. And of course Van- baby Jesus in his candycane striped swaddling clothes.
Joseph wasn't quite ready to give up his manger to the new guy, or maybe he was just putting baby Jesus to sleep by lying down by him.
But he really wasn't thrilled when the grumpy shepherd and the cowboy wiseman decided to try it out.

After Christmas, things were back to normal for most of us. Except on top of all Van's fancy pants presents, he also got two teeth almost simultaneously and pretty much demanded to be fed grown up food. You know, your favorite, rice cereal. He has since become enchanted with bananas, and apples (pictures to come).
Through it all, Reggie remained in his royal spot in the house. Right in front of the fireplace - or space heater depending on which one was hotter at the moment.
Van bonded with his Uncle Alex and talked about how easy it is to be green.
GK went snowboarding with the Florence brothers (and later skiing for the first time with moi). We're only missing Paul in this picture and of course my dad who in spite of his rapid recovery is not yet skiing on his new knee.

More pictures to come I promise.

Stay tuned for:

-Risser family Christmas sledding and revalry

-Suzi and GK ski

-Van watches extreme sports

-Elko? Yes, Elko

-And more!