Merry Christmas!

Tristan's first Christmas was a lot of fun for all involved. He seemed to enjoy unwrapping gifts as much as he enjoyed playing with the boxes after the fact.



Boru seemed to get into the spirit of things as well.



And Tristan doesn't yet know that books are boring gifts. (Ah, the innocence of youth!)



Once he got to Grandma and Grandpa's house, the number of gifts were pretty overwhelming:



And when all was done, Tristan was able to relax by the fire:

The Empty Stocking

This is a very touching sermon from "The Bishop's Wife". It seems quite appropriate for the season:

"Tonight I want to tell you the story of an empty stocking. Once upon a midnight clear, there was a child’s cry. A blazing star hung over a stable and wise men came with birthday gifts. We haven’t forgotten that night down the centuries; we celebrate it with stars on Christmas trees, the sound of bells and with gifts—but especially with gifts. You give me a book; I give you a tie. Aunt Martha has always wanted an orange squeezer and Uncle Henry could do with a new pipe. We forget nobody, adult or child. All the stockings are filled...all that is, except one. And we have even forgotten to hang it up. The stocking for the Child born in a manger. It’s His birthday we are celebrating. Don’t ever let us forget that. Let us ask ourselves what He would wish for most and then let each put in his share: loving kindness, warm hearts and the stretched-out hand of tolerance. All the shining gifts that make peace on earth."

Tree Trimming in Kent

Tristan's good friend Rory once again invited the Paynes up for a visit to Maple Stone, his family farm in Kent, CT.



The weekend involved helping Rory's dad steady the tree and collect logs for the fire. Tristan really appreciated the logs...and the resultant fire. He seemed to enjoy it more than Sesame Street.


Rory's 6'6" dad makes the tree look much smaller than it really is. The 13" tree was about as wide as it was tall. All the adults had a great time decorating the tree while visions of sugar plums danced through the heads of the sleeping babies.

Late Night Pasketti

Pasta was on the menu after a nocturnal visit to the Bronx Zoo. Tristan celebrated his 9 month birthday with a trip to the Holiday Lights display at New York's famous zoo. The visit was a gift of cousins Bobby and Danielle.

Baby New Year Practice

Tristan is practicing his Baby New Year look...

Baby Ennui

The boy is quite the character. Or so says his mom. This morning while being fed, his facial gestures and body language seemed to indicate a profound sense of boredom. Usually, Tristan finds something exciting to explore in everything and anything. This morning, however, while examining the velvety texture of his reindeer bib, he seemed to discover ennui. It passed as soon as his mother entered the room, but lasted long enough that she noted it as well, providing his dad with the satisfaction that he was not inventing emotions for his almost nine month old son.

Bubbles

Tristan really likes bubbles.

And bubbles seem to like him

Buying a Christmas Tree

Jennifer, Tom and Tristan travelled to Danbury to get their ornaments out of storage...and along the way picked up a Christmas Tree at Stew Leonard's.



The group finally settled on a "cute" 12 foot balsam. Friends are encouraged to come over for a visit to see the tree completely decorated.

A Visit with St. Nick

Tristan spent the afternoon with his mom and grandmother gathering supplies for an event Jennifer was planning at the Junior League. Along the way, they ran into the jolly old elf himself at the Palisade Center in Rockland County.



Tristan explained to Santa that he would like peace in the world...and an Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two-Hundred-Shot Range Model Air Rifle...but Santa said he would shoot his eye out.