My favorite gift

We had our family Christmas last night to avoid packing extra gifts in the trusty blue van that would only have to be again packed in the trusty blue van on the return trip home. David and I gave each other a gps for Christmas before our trip to Montreal so we didn't have presents to open. After examining each waiting present under the tree during the past few weeks, Graham noticed that Daddy and I didn't have presents. So he took matters into his own little hands and chose a present for each of us, wrapped it, and wrote our names on the packages. This one is Daddy's.

"Wow, Graham, you did a great job with the tape!"

"And what is it?
DIAPER CREAM! I've always wanted diaper cream!"

"Thank you, big boy! What a thoughtful gift!"

"I love you, Daddy."

Who knew I could get teary over diaper cream...

Hot Wheels race tracks!

Sweet Bea

Funny Inga!

Black Widow

A black widow spider, seconds before meeting her death on the floor of our garage. "A Elbereth Gilthoniel! O menel palan-diriel, le nallon sí di'nguruthos!"

New Hope Valley Santa Train

The kids took their afternoon naps on the hour drive to the New Hope Valley Train Depot.

The museum had many train cars to explore. Graham loved the red caboose!


Bundled up Bea

What is that look? Surprise? Fear? Lack of sleep?

Graham climbed on this engine while we waited for our train to arrive. A few minutes later a man who volunteered at the museum offered to let Graham pretend to drive the engine. Graham loved it!

Is it coming?

A steam engine pulled the train to our stop. We rode behind a diesel engine.

The train's whistle was loud!

The train had five cars: two cabooses and three open window passenger cars. In light of the drizzle and barely forty degree weather, we opted for the caboose with the coal burning stove. We got to ride in the top part which was fun for Graham. Looking out the side windows we saw little surprises along the tracks (penguins, candles, Christmas trees, igloos, a few Santas). Looking out the front window we could see the tops of the passenger cars.

Bea and Inga liked the candy canes the best.

And Graham just liked watching the world go by.

Bahama Christmas Parade

The kids and I drove a few miles north this morning to the little community of Bahama (pronounced BA-HAY-MA, most definitely NOT like The Bahamas). The annual Bahama Christmas parade was the girls' first parade, and the first parade that Graham could remember. It was in the forties and a bit chilly, but we braved the cold to enjoy marching bands, fire engines, and lots of candy! Meanwhile, David continues to slave away on his dissertation in the depths of the Duke library...

Graham LOVED the candy!

North Carolina has a large Scottish population. Kilts, bagpipes, and the Confederate flag.

Some floats were a hit with Graham

and some just made the kids wonder.

Graham was thrilled to see Wool E Bull of the Durham Bulls!

"Give me five!"

This was Graham's expression throughout the hillbilly portion of the parade.

Yes, that's a rifle.

And Inga's disapproval.

Graham loved the little racing cars

Bea loved the horses

And Santa was a hit, of course.

I love small town parades!

This message is brought to you by Graham

'Mama, that says, "NO BEA!!!"'
We've been hearing that a lot lately. Almost as much as, "No biting, Inga!!"