Merry Christmas to All in 2007

Left Bob shows our poodle Harry a present from his stocking, as a sleepy, quilt-wrapped LJ looks on, with his newly opened present of U/O Duck pajama bottoms. We weren’t up quite as early for presents this year, (LJ sleeps in a little later now).
We attended Christmas Eve candlelight church services and didn’t get home until 1 a.m. Christmas morning. It was a beautiful service at Resurrection Episcopal church in Eugene, where my dearest friend Lucy sings in the choir. The church’s Brombaugh organ was made locally and has a beautiful sound, and their choir, including Lucy’s perfect pitch, is well known locally.
On the way to church, we reminisced about LJ being baptized at Resurrection at age 7, by his choice. Bob and I were so proud of him then, and we still are, which I’m sure you’ve all noticed in our blogs here.
One of LJ’s friends, Ryan, whose family was out of town today, joined us for Christmas dinner, which Bob cooked, with my only contributions being mashed sweet potatoes, dessert, and clean up duty.
Bob baked a succulent ham, green bean casserole, scalloped potatoes, and served all this with French bread from a local bakery. We are grateful for our surfeit of blessings and had a truly wonderful Christmas 2007.
We wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous 2008.
Much love to you all,

Lily

Meet Lily, the newest addition to our family. She is a mixed breed, but mostly Labrador Retriever, approximately 2 years old, who found us about 10 weeks ago. After several weeks of posting “Found Dog” notices throughout our neighborhood and in town, having her scanned for a microchip ID, and calling the animal shelter and several veterinarian offices to see if such a dog had been reported missing, we decided to keep her.
We fell in love with her from the first day she showed up hungry in our driveway. Lily is very good natured, knows a few basic commands and minds fairly well. She is exuberantly enthusiastic, and especially loves to play fetch with her bell ball, running full speed across the pasture. We had her vaccinated last week and the Vet determined she is spayed. We feel bad that someone lost such a good dog. But we are glad Lily found us.
For now Lily is an outside dog, to give Harry time to adjust to this usurper in his kingdom. Harry still reigns solo inside, while he shares the outside with Lily, two cats, Rex the Rabbit, a horse and a pony.

Bob, aka Gandalf the Wizard

Every Halloween Bob’s office has a costume contest. This year his department won first prize. They all dressed up as book or movie characters. Bob went as Gandalf the Wizard from the LORD OF THE RINGS.