Generations

Here are the pictures of the entire gene pool huddled around the Original.























We even got Rick to smile for the camera... Such great fun to see the whole clan together. We can't wait for Lucie's next trip.

Goose Is a Possum

Lucie has become "The Goose." Lucie. Luce. Goose. You get the evolution. However, according to her day care providers, the girl ain't no avian. The girl would prefer to be upside down and has thus been dubbed "The Possum." We've split the difference. The Goose Possum. Hopefully we won't confuse any naturalists...

Great Grandma

Although she couldn't quite distinguish between a kiss and, well, a suckle, the love was still there. Grandma was a great host. We sat on her fancy covered porch with the life-size dolls (which Lucie eyed suspiciously more than once), ate some great local food (the Crab Shack is always at the top of Dad's list), and had a great time playing with the funny looking cat, which it turns out is actually a dog.

Great, Great Grandma

The oldest and the youngest. With all the years and life under her floral schmock, Great Great Grandma Helen still mostly marveled at the little things. Like feet. And hands. "Look how small these feet are! I was never that small..." she twanged.

And Lucie? Well, old people are interesting and Great Great Grandma is about as interesting as they get. Great Grandma looks different, moves different, and boy does she have gadgets. She's got stuff in her ears, funky glasses for her eyes, and a really nifty stroller to keep her moving. Of course, as far as Lucie's concerned, every gadget is made to put in her mouth. But it's clear that every one of those gadgets keeps Great Great Grandma sharp and saucy. She's still crocheting doilies, insisting that we not take her to lobster because it's too expensive and she doesn't want to trouble us but if we wanted to take her she really likes that Pasadena Steakhouse, and keeping everybody on their toes. We're hoping Lucie has a few more years to watch the master work...

So, Great Great Grandma greeted the newest little pea from her genetic pod. Hopefully that pea got the genetic material that will keep her chatting and flirting and teasing for another 96 and a half years just like her Great Great Grandma Helen...

Hannukah...Chanukah...Channuka...

No matter how you spell it, it's a festival. Lucie tried to help light the menorah - and the living room. Despite the pyro tendencies, Lucie's first Hannukah was all about the right stuff - family, family, family.


Our annointed "Macabee Elf" had parties at home, in Whitewater with her Aunties Dana and Nini, and at Bubbe and Zadie's. In addition to gifts, she continued her infatuation with Abby, the Great White Swing, and the Fuzzy Red Pillows. And of course, it's impossible to separate Zadie from Abby, Aunt Dana from the Swing, and Bubbe from the Pillow.

Although I can't imagine what's going on inside Lucie's head, each whirlwind visit must be a wonderful montage of good feelings, images, and new experiences. And the beauty of Hannukah is that every year will reinforce the previous montage, but then add a new idea, a new emotion, a new insight into her family and culture.

Each year she'll have a more complete picture of herself, her family, and the common ideals that define us. I also expect that she'll find the dividing ideals, which is what makes family gatherings so interesting. Hopefully she'll find a tasteful place to pierce and a hair color that complements her eyes. Purple clashes with blue, but that will be her road to travel.

On the flip side, we'll all get to watch Grandchild Number 1 become a person with us and in response to us. I fully expect the 8 little candles that light this holiday will light her way with the love and tradition they represent.

If Eyes Could Talk...

...Lucie's would say, "Daddy, I feel like shit."

After the Luce Goose erupted the mucous volcano, she communicated in the most remarkable way. Without a word, she spoke clearer than I do on most days. The pictures tell the story. Somewhere in the pink, squishy recesses of her brain was some evolutionarily miraculous preprogramming. Her body went limp and she literally melted into her daddy's chest. She barely cried, instead moaning and whimpering. And her face. If she were thirteen, I'd have accused her of being too dramatic and trying to get out of going to school.

But the reality was our little Goose had pneumonia. A scary word, and especially unsettling when your little one can't tell you what she's feeling, or thinking, or needing. Thankfully, Nature helped Lucie scream without words. She screamed, we listened, and the doctor promptly stuck two needles in her and juiced her up with antibiotics. She screamed some more, but no more mucous volcanoes and she was back to normal in no time...

These are the tricks of biology that wrap mom and dad's heartstrings around her pudgy little pinky. I can think of no better place for our heartstrings and I'm glad Darwin invented evolution.

Christmas in Whitewater

Round two of the holiday romp. Let me communicate the moments in acrostic...




Colorful wrapping, holding toys for babies and children of all ages




Happy memories, turning the "Lake House" into a home




Reading with Aunt Myla, while the germs prepared for their attack




Is this thing edible - what good is a toy if you can't eat it?




Shopping bags made for ribs from L Woods - and babies from Madison




Time to give Uncle Bryan some baby holding practice




Making Hollandaise Sauce that is really melted butter with curdled egg yolks




Always looking forward to the Super Stockings - good things come in little packages




Sharing the moments that will define Lucie's forever