This was our first Chirstmas in some ways. It was our first Christmas in Oregon, and our first one spent by ourselves. Some traditions we started:

Listening to Iggy Pop while opening presents. Playing “within 6 degrees of separation” from Die Hard. (Die Hard is a Chirstmas movie; they were having a Christmas party when the terrorists attacked…) So we watched Lucky Number Slevin. (Bruce Willis was in both and we were reminded what a great movie that was.) This will be a fun game to play for years to come. We also made the rule that we’ll always use found paper to wrap; the personals/strip club section of the Portland Mercury made for interesting textures. We also removed the top part of our Ikea bed and slept on the living room floor; we assume Santa came in through the windows as we don’t have a chimney. We finally started a project that we’ve had in our heads for 6 years; was a long time coming and can’t wait to see how it progresses. And we’re making a birthday cake for Baby J (we hope He likes spice with butterscotch jello frosting, although I have the feeling he’s more of a Funfetti kinda guy.)

Happy Holidays to you, however you’re celebrating them, whether it’s old, or weird new traditions, by yourself, or with family. Oh, and that little tree was carved by Joel’s dad, complete with paper clip candy canes. We also aren’t known for our luck with breakables; hence the snowman head…he used to have a hat and bell for a body…