Aaaaahhh ... Christmas comes and Christmas goes, but I still think it's more fun when Christmas is coming rather than when Christmas is going. I had a fun time buying gifts for my family: all us kids pitched in a bought mom a cake platter and pair of shoes she really wanted; dad got some new ties; I bought Candace (younger sister) the new U2 album; Candace and I split the cost of a new purse for Chloe (youngest sister).


My favorite present this year: a black nylon/spandex shirt for hiking. I feel buff wearing it, so buff that I could run for governor of California.


One tradition fell by the wayside this year. Chloe is usually the first one up around 6 a.m. and proceeds to wake everyone else up. As she has gotten older -- she's now 14 -- she has let us sleep in later and later. But Chloe didn't wake me up this year; instead I woke up to my mom sternly saying "Isaac Mathew!" Apparently my family had spent the previous hour trying to calmly wake me up--to no avail. (Never underestimate the power of the middle name.)


We spent the afternoon in Burien visiting with the relatives. And, of course, I've had enough holiday snacks to last me until next year.


Lemon Blueberry cake with raspberry glaze,
Isaac