Merry Christmas!

This year Christmas began, as is the Dean family tradition, on Christmas Eve, when the Harts arrived for our crab feast! We all had lovely, local-caught crab, along with salad, bread and a bunch of other goodies, until we were well-stuffed! Later that evening, we opened presents to and from the Harts, and we said goodbye for the evening.

Vivian decorates her tree

debbi and Mike Hart enjoy the Christmas spirit!

Will Hart shows off a goodie left for him by Grandma Dean

As the youngest child in the family, Vivi has the honor of
giving Grandpa Dean his annual hankies!

Edward, Vivi and I headed home to prepare for Santa to come to the Cannon house. We had a rocking chair, originally given to my older brother James for Christmas back in 1962 or 63, reupholstered, and gave it to Vivian this year. Of course, that was the first thing she ran to on Christmas morning!

Santa's little helper takes a break!

The Cannon family's stockings, each hand made. Edward's Grandma Esther made his,
my mom made mine, and I made Vivian's!

Vivian will turn ANYTHING into a phone... from a block of wood to this calculator!
I wonder who she's talking to?

We all received wonderful gifts... Edward gave me a set of black pearls, and this fun shirt that says, "Self-Rescuing Princess". (He says that sometimes I subconsciously forget I'm married, and that I tend to not ask him for help.) He got a book on computer programming that he's been wanting (on the back is a blurb by Bill Gates that says if you finish & actually understand the book, you should send him a resume)! He also got an uber-cool remote-control, multi-colored LED light. Vivian got a bunch of toys, books, and clothes.

Vivi gets a music maker from Grandpa Dean.

Grandma Cannon made Vivi this adorable apron.

After we finished opening up presents at our house on Christmas morning, we had breakfast and then went over to see Grandpa Dean. Later, we had delicious hand-made tamales and ham at Edward's parents' house. We have also been able to visit with Edward's sisters, Elisabeth and Keziah, who are both home from BYU for the Christmas break.

So Christmas wouldn't be complete without sharing my favorite English Major joke: "What do you call Santa's little helpers?"

Answer: "Subordinate Clauses!!"

Oooh, that always makes me giggle. Merry Christmas and a very happy New Year to all of you!