Christmas at Home

Since Valerie & Richard were not with us for the Christmas gathering in London, we hosted another gathering at home. Unless people had visited them in Halifax, Nova Scotia, I suspect the last time that these folks had seen them would be at their wedding in May 2005!

Here is our first "family portrait" since the wedding.


















Posing with my sister and brother-in-law: Mayette & Oliverio. Not wasting O's talents, I had him make us some delicious noodle ("misua") soup.


















Here's cousin Karen & Dan from London, ON; Aunt Ruth & Uncle Bill from Lucan, ON.


















My brother & sister-in-law: Marvin & Mona from Woodhaven, Michigan. Marvin looks more alert & definitely sober this time!


















My youngest sister, Chalkie, aka Marissa from Toronto, ON, looking very photogenic as usual.


















My cousin Fleur & Teddy from Toronto,ON. It looked like Teddy was a little "jet lagged"- lost some sleep between the London & Windsor festivities and back this way again over a period of 4 days, I imagine.


















Last but not least, a pose with my mom and my son, Michael.


















I thought that the "Open House" was a success. It allowed Valerie & Richard to catch up with some of the folks with no loud music nor a videoke to interrupt the flow of conversation. For all those present, thanks again for coming.

London Christmas Celebration

Christmas means a family get together. Here are some photos taken in London, Ontario at Mayette's & Oliverio's on December 25, 2008.




Left to right (standing): my son Michael, my brother Marvin, my cousin Fleur in red, my sister Mayette, my sister-in-law Erichelle, my brother Jonas. (sitting): my sister Chalkie, me (behind Chalkie), family friend Liza, my sister-in-law Mona, my mom Martha, and nephew Jediah.





















Our host and resident chef, Oliverio, who was rarely in the pictures because he was always in the kitchen!









My husband, Bob, sous chef de jour.




As usual, we celebrated with much filipino food, Yellow Tail Merlot, & Zinfandel followed by much videoke singing & dancing with our own star "rocker", Marvin.

What is a bris ceremony?

Recently, our dear friends, Gerry & Linda, became grandparents to a beautiful baby boy, Rhys. His proud parents are Jonathan & Christine Hannon.

Eight days after he was born, we were able to meet him at his bris ceremony, the Jewish ritual circumcision.

This was a family/community-celebrated event which we felt honored to attend.


Christine & Jonathan with the "Mohel".















Linda, the happy grandparent, with Rhys soundly asleep in her arms.