Christmas 2004
The big news this Christmas was snow! It began showing after dark on Christmas Eve and was bright and clear by sunup on Christmas morning. The snow measured 4.4", a record for Corpus Christi. The last one even close was in 1897. Our holiday season began with Elizabeth's birthday party hosted by Deb.
Elizabeth and Deb give a big smile at the great looking Black Forest birthday cake, made by Deb.
The table was decorated with a centerpiece and napkin holders that were made by Deb and her mother, Sue.
The mantle was filled with some of her Santas.
John and Jay give Carmen (the next door neighbor) a hug. Her husband died quite suddenly at Thanksgiving and we're glad that she can share Christmas with us.
Carmen and Elizabeth visit. Deb looks on. Note the Santas on her table.
Elizabeth, Pepe (Carmen's sister from Spain), Carmen, Deb and Nancy give an "all girl" smile.
The next event is our annual family party on December 23rd. Here are Shawna (Tom's step-daughter), Elizabeth, Tom, and Deb.
Elizabeth and Tom enjoy being together. How great to all live in the same town.
Tom and Joe are like Mutt and Jeff.
Nancy, Shawna and Elizabeth are talking with John (only his arm shows).
Steve, poses with Deb and John.
Tim gives a funny grin as he hugs Nancy.
Then it's "cut up" time for Tim and Patrick.
Kathryn (our step great-granddaughter) has on her warm red coat.
Next came church at 8pm on Christmas Eve with Tim playing the guitar
.
This was the sight that greeted when we came out of church. Not only was it snowing, but it was sticking!
We went to Deb's for the annual Christmas Eve supper, but Stevie and the rest of the boys enjoyed the snow instead of the food.
Tim played Christmas music for us.
Carmen and Jay wear glasses - one makes every light look like Santa's face and the other makes a colored snow flake.
John enjoys HIS girl...
...Nancy is on the other side!
Pepe, Carmen and Deb take pictures.
Steve toasted the group with his beer.
It snowed on us all the way home and took about 1 1/2 hours to make the 20 mile drive. Notice that all of the plants are STILL sitting outside. Who thought it would snow on Christmas Eve?
We awoke to this.
And this...
And this...
And this...
And this!!!
It was afternoon by the time we got to Tom and Nancy's home for presents on Christmas Day
This is their snowman. With Nancy being from Seattle, she really knows how to make one!
Moomoo (Nancy) watched Kathryn open a present.
Charlie, Shawna, Nanny (Nancy) and Papa (John) open gifts.
Shawna admires the sweet smelling candle dog, a gift from her brother, James.
Nancy's son, James, opened his gifts the night before.
It's then on out to Elizabeth and Jay's for present opening time.
The manger scene on the buffet is pretty.
Jay jokes as usual and displays a Texas mug that he gave the family for Christmas. (He did get an A & M one too, however.)
Tim and Steve assemble the foos ball set, a gift from Steve and Deb.
Elizabeth checks on the food in the oven, while John cuts the turkey that he smoked.
We're back at Elizabeth's house on the 27th for Steve's birthday dinner. (Guess, we just didn't eat enough!) Steve blows out the candle on the white chocolate sour cream cake that Deb made.
The Petro family poses for this birthday photo: Josh, Steve, Stevie and Deb.
Steve shows off his tee shirt.
Carmen, Pepe, Carmen's daughter Vickie and grandson have a "bittersweet" smile since Pepe is leaving on a 6am plane the next morning for her return to Spain.
The adults pose for a group picture: Elizabeth, Carmen, Jay, Pepe, Nancy, John, and Steve.
We had a wonderful Christmas with real snow, lots of food, family and friends. Andy was missing from all of the pictures because he was working from 5 to 10pm EVERY night at his new job at Burger King. It's great experience for him, but we sure missed having him at the events.