After the celebration . . .

After everyone left, Robbie and Brie relax and help clean up ... well they relax anyway. Here's Bob ...

and here comes Brie ... she looks a little hung over, don't you think?

Christmas Morning

We woke up with presents from Santa under the tree and then after coffee, spent a few hours opening them. Here are some shots from Christmas Morning.

Here

Aunt Janet slumbers with a friend

Aunt Janet bedded down in front of the fire with not one, but two new friends. It's amazing what body heat can draw in a cold house around sleeping time. Is that a small reindeer to the right?

The big day arrives

I want to thank everyone who worked so hard so our family could enjoy the house and it's first holiday. I really think all would have come happily even with the porta-potty that, until almost the very last day, was the only alternative. Yes, this was the traditional Callahan, Giles, Howard and Sedney celebration ... too hectic at first, but moments when warmth and laughter fill the rooms with joy. I wish we could figure out how to be together more than a day or two around these family holidays.

This also marked the first and I hope last time, dear old Dad had to go out an get a tree on his own. Was it also the first time that the tree arrived Christmas Eve? Here Patrick and Grace decorate.

Mia warms herself by the fire.

Everyone, including Bob, played games the afternoon of Christmas Eve.

Grace, Mia and Sally .... first the front ....

and then the back ...

and of course everyone has a chance to just sit and relax .....

Almost Christmas

During the week before Christmas, with the family practically on their way, Custom Mechanicals installed a temporary furnace for heat and hot water, Gary our plumber hooked up an indoor toilet and sink and finally, right before the deadline, our stove and refrigerator were installed. OK, so it was going to be like camping indoors, but we were going to have the family Christmas in Kent! To the right is our kitchen appliances going in.

To the left we see our new powder room and the cool cabinet and sink Kim picked out.

And to the right again, you can see our hats siting in our new entrance closet.

A natural outdoorsman

Since we didn't have any cut firewood this weekend, I had to scavenge the woods and make due. Here Kim took a picture of Mr. Rugged on his way to the logging trail.

After a cutting up a cord or two, Mr. Rugged always likes to relax with his best friend.

Bathroom counter top

While Grace and I were in he Garage on Saturday, we also took a picture of the cement bathroom countertops that Tom has made. They really turned out nice with just right balance of color and finish.