Lisa n Tom (n James n Joseph)

Lisa writes: One more picture from Colonial Williamsburg. This is Chownings Tavern, which is a good place to go if you like sing-alongs with stein-thumping choruses, like this one: I've been a wild rover for many a year And I spent all me money on whiskey and beer, And now I'm returning with gold in great store And I never will play the wild rover no more. Chorus: And it's no, nay, never, [Thump thump thump thump] No, nay, never, no more, Will I play the wild rover No, nay, never no more.

Lisa writes: Much thanks to Tom's coworker friends who gave us the gift certificate to "Two Quail Restaurant" in D.C. We finally used it on Saturday night and it was a fun and funny evening. The restaurant is located in a string of 100+ year old rowhouses just East of Capitol. It's a tiny, winding maze of little rooms and hallways, stuffed with Victorian knick-knacks. I looked up a few reviews of the place, and it seems like the interior decorating serves as sort of a Shibboleth of the romantic state of mind of the visitor. Lovebirds thought it was "The Most Romantic Restaurant in D.C." The more prosaic thought it looked like "Jessica McClintock meets Miss Havisham and Morticia Addams." Happily, Tom and I always fall on the more smoochy side of the scale. The most entertaining part of the decorations, though, is provided by the lovestruck patrons who tuck away little love notes into these heart-shaped boxes located all over the place. They are on ...

Tom writes: We headed down to Colonial Williamsburg the first weekend in December to participate in the beginning of the Christmas season there. Thousands come out on Sunday evening for the fireworks and festivities of Grand Illumination. It was a bit damp, but not too cold, and the place was packed. You can see a few minutes of all the commotion. We had a tour of Williamsburg on Saturday morning with my high school buddy Adam Rubenstein, his wife Robin, and their daughter, Hallie. And then Hallie, Adam, Lisa, and I went out for the Grand Illumination itself on Sunday evenng. Thanks to the Rubensteins for letting us stay with them for the weekend!

Lisa writes: Mom and the Grandkids. This went out on the Christmas card this year. From left to right: Madison, Ava, Cameron, Taylor, Mom, Christian, and Breanna.

Tom writes: We had been planning on seeing the National Christmas Tree just like we did many years ago when we were dating. However, it was not so easy to find a night that worked. (In addition to fighting gridlock, we also struggle with "clocklock.") So pretty much on a whim one night, we went on downtown. Problem: no camera. Solution: ask someone there to take our picture with their camera and e-mail it to us. Many thanks (and Merry Christmas!) to Jack and Marla Spath, who were not shy about talking with strangers.

Lisa writes: Click here to see Tom in all his animated, dancing, tights-wearing glory. Click here to elf yourself. Tom writes: Or if you wanted to see Lisa as a cute little elf, you can do that, too!

Lisa writes: Here is Ava being an angel for Christmas 2004. It was a pre-school Nativity play that appears to have been very heavily weighted in favor of angel-roles.

Lisa writes: Christian's Santa outfit, courtesy of his three older sisters.

Elmo knows me Originally uploaded by lisa.n.tom . Lisa writes: Hello Elmo!

Lisa writes: On the plane on the way to Vancouver, you'll be asked to fill out a little travel statement. One of the questions it asks is "Is this trip for business or pleasure?" Whatever you do, don't say "business." If you say "pleasure," you will be routed through the short line at Customs without a second thought. However, if you say "business" -- as I did -- you will get to stand in the long line where you will be asked to present proof of employment, proof of a business request, an explanation of the purpose of your trip, and lots of ID and phone numbers. From this experience, I learned that it is very, very important to always lie when you go to Canada. (P.S. You also need a passport to fly in and out, but nothing more than your own sweet smile to drive. Even post-9/11.)

Lisa writes: Lori and Dave just got back from their baby-visiting trip to Guatemala. It's been about a year wait to get to this point. They got to hang out with him for three days. They'll be able to bring him home after all the official paperwork has cleared, a 5-7 month process.

Free puppy Originally uploaded by lisa.n.tom . Lisa writes: Scary.

Nylons Originally uploaded by lisa.n.tom . Lisa writes: Real men wear tights all right, but only when they've got real big blisters. (Tom gearing up for Day Two at Vail.)

Lisa writes: Vail village. Doesn't it just make you want to yodel? Tom writes: Even if you don't feel up to yodeling, you can check out our trip to Beaver Creek our our outing to Vail with Lisa's sister Debbie and Debbie's boyfriend, Kellen.