Our family is having quite the Christmas day. The boys slept in a little bit, but then it was up and at ’em, with Mommy providing pancakes all around. We got dressed up and went to visit Bertha, a lady who my wife loves dearly. She cared for Bertha while working at a local nursing home, and still visits her frequently. We brought a hymnal along and sang a couple of songs for her while the boys looked on. Then it was nap time for all.

Later in the afternoon, after opening some presents with Grandma, we moved the family to the dining table for the BEST turkey dinner my wife’s ever made. Let’s just sum it up in one word: perfect. Then we read from chapter 2 of Luke from the Bible, watched Charlie Brown Christmas, and commenced play time again.

Sometimes the box is just as much fun as the wagon that came in it! PJ and Jonathan think so, anyway. We weren’t really playing in the dark; I just didn’t want anyone to see the unfinished home renovation in the background. I swear I’m going to finish it soon…it’s just the trim woodwork I need to cut and brad into place.

Daddy had fun of a different sort, sneaking out to the garage and firing up a motorcycle. I picked one with knobby tires, which really didn’t help at all on Bismarck’s icy roads. I kept it short and sweet, eventually sliding my way back to the garage in one piece. I did stop in front of the house and honk the horn so PJ could look out and see me. He’s ready to ride, just ask him!

One thing missing from this Christmas was the popular Christmas light display at the Schaff house. Tens of thousands of lights, along with some street ornaments purchased from the city, combined to provide the grandest single-home Christmas display I can remember. There was a sad indication last year that Mr. Schaff was not going to be doing his elaborate display any more. Click the link to see why I think the decision was made. I hope I’m not being intrusive by discussing the man’s house; it was a rather public display, after all. I just thought any of you who might wonder where the lights went would be interested in an explanation.

Anyway, that’s Christmas in a nutshell. Within days I’ll be celebrating the third anniversary of this website. What a time of traditions, eh? Thanks for being a part of it. There’s a tradition worth keeping.