The flu has knocked me upside the head since I got back Monday night. It’s been a long road to recovery and there may be some long term effects, but don’t worry about me… I’m a trooper.

Here’s some more photos of Christmas in New York, I’d save you the pain of any narration, but that wouldn’t be any fun for me.

Back when I had more fashion sense.

My grandfather’s first hunting license at age 19.

Needless to say, Emily wasn’t that excited about it.

My grandmother, aunt Bev, aunt Clara, uncle Dick, and grandpa watching cousin Vicki’s son, Max open one of his many presents.

Mad Libs are fun.

My parent’s house all dolled up for the holidays.

Also, while in PA I got a chance to catch up with Rachael, a dear old friend from high school, and her 5 year old son Oliver. Oli is turning out to be quite the artist like his mother. Here’s some pictures he drew for me:

Tanks and guns… ain’t nothin’ better. (except for maybe a werewolf about to eat a guy with a gun)

Obviously a dragon guy with a a sword (don’t call it a nail like I did). Man, look at those arms, you wouldn’t want to meet him in a dark alley.

I had a great Christmas in New York filled with grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles. On Christmas Eve grandpa pulled out the slides of years gone by, and since I knew you love seeing those old family photos, I brought along some to share:

There’s four generations here. My great-grandfather, grandmother, aunt Clara, and cousin Karen.

My grandpa (on the right) and his two brothers.

A house that was washed away in a flood.

My great-grandmother and her two daughters (my grandma is in the middle).

The Ford cousins: April and Eric.

The neighbors down the street.

My parents… before the children came along.

My first birthday.

Grandpa with his catch.

The birthday boy:

Train cake made by Alyssa and Mom:

Maddox tearing into the train:

Brent helping the little guy out:

Bonus: here’s a video clip of Maddox speaking in his native toungue. (requires the latest Flash player, and my luck is that it won’t work regardless.)

Leaving for California tomorrow for a week. I’ll be in SD for a couple of days, mostly for meetings and Christmas parties (don’t know if I’ll make it to LA or not to see the furnished Venice apartement of Caleb and Emily)… then it’s up to the Bay area for a few days installing computers (oh joy!) and hangin’ out with Richard and his pregnant wife Sarah.

My hotmail account finally got bumped up to 250MB today. It’s about time.