Seasons Greetings

Happy Holidays everyone

We've been trying to make the best of the holiday season - Paris is gorgeous, and we've even had several small snow storms, (see below) - which made the kids and dogs VERY happy.

We have been slowed down a bit by what we think was the swine flu - plus some nasty secondary infections... but we think we are finally on the mend.

Anyhow - we hope all of you are well and wish you a blessed holiday season and wonderful 2010.


We had the luck to celebrate Thanksgiving with Kristie's family - and a trip to EuroDisney

Here are our mad hatters in their teacup

Lincoln riding the Metro with his friend Bud

Scene from a boatride on the Seine

EuroDisney with the Grandparents

We also had the great fortune and opportunity of attending the wedding of brother Dan and wife Viviana in Milan, Italy

Our stomachs are still full!

Bride and Groom

Our very own Eiffel Tower

Christmas Choir

Fun in the snow

First snowman in four years

Graham's birthday party - on the ferris wheel

Party Guests

Happy 11th birthday buddy!

A Wet and Wonderful Christmas

The annual "stair shot"

Well it didn't snow - but we did have a festive and fun Christmas.

We had a really nice Christmas Eve with some good friends, and combined three sets of traditions to make a fun evening that included donut balls, taco salad, and our own personal Xmas pageant. Not quite the same as a snowy evening with our families, but special and lasting in its own way.

Angels and a cow

and Mary and Joseph

Singing with our pal Leora

To our relief Santa did find his way to Yaounde - with a sleigh full of goodies. He and his reindeer were very well provisioned by our three very enthusiastic elves. All of them had full stockings, though there were chunks of coal at the bottom - particulary for Lincoln who has gotten an early start on the terrible twos by acquiring a hitting habit, showing an truly impressive stubborn streak, and (of course) making full use of the Swaney frown.

As usual Santa was very well informed, and the big gift was a "Water Totter" - which is a teeter-totter that you use in the pool. Amazingly - despite heavy use (indoors and in the pool) we haven't had any serious accidents yet.

Accident Report - to be filed

Mom and Dad enjoyed the holidays by relaxing at the beach (see next posting), and breaking out the dancing shoes for a New Years outing with friends.

Overall, a really nice holiday spent with good friends - with plenty of relaxing time as a family.