Christmas 2006 - The best part of Christmas is family.

Lots of family, lots of friends, lots of food and fellowship. Church on Christmas Eve, presents on Christmas morning and a big dinner Christmas afternoon. Happy Birthday Jesus!


So Many Presents, so little time!


I want YOU!


Three men and a baby.


Rachel and Zoe


Santa and Friends


Nicole and David

Christmas 2006 - National Museum of the American Indian

This new addition to the Smithsonian contains a history of native american culture of both North and South America. We spent the better part of a day here and saw only a small part of the complete exhibit. Everything is beautifully displayed and documented to allow the visitor understand the significance of the artifacts and the culture they represent.









Inside


Looking up


Beaver and mink from British Columbia



The food court has interesting dishes grouped by geographical area.




























Looking down from the top floor.


A view of the captial from the museum.

Christmas 2006 - The National Cathedral

The National Cathedral in Washington DC is administered by an independant body as is appropriate for a country which recognizes no national church. It is staffed for worship services by the Episcopal Church of which both Susan and I are cradle members. It has been a dream of mine both to visit the Cathedral and worship there. We arrived in time for the noon eucharist and found a handicapped parking spot within 20 yards of the side door. It must have been a God thing. This is an enormous structure and indescribably beautiful. The photos say much more than my words.
















From the seventh floor is a view of the ornate stone work and of the city of Washington DC.

Christmas 2006 - Creche Exhibit at the National Cathedral

After touring the beautiful cathedral we were directed to an exhibit of creches from all over the U.S.A. and many foriegn countries. Most were under glass to keep curious fingers away.




Beaded figures from Zululand.



From Austria.


From China.


I forget where this was from but it was a clever use of a gourd.

Christmas 2006 - Paul and Beth's in Maryland

After a 2 day drive from St Louis we are at the home of Susan's son Paul and wife Beth. Paul took me to the Naval Academy at Annapolis. Paul is a graduate and gave me a wonderful tour. The Academy is a beautiful campus, beautiful buildings steeped in history.

The Navy goat.


Dahlgren Hall, named for the father of modern naval gunnery.


Bancroft Hall is a series of interconnected dormatories which are home to 4000 midshipmen.


There are 21 miles of corridors in Bancroft Hall







Knowing that I love cathedrals Paul took me through the "Chapel".









The Naval Academy is an impressive institution. The list of famous people who have studied there is very long. Paul is rightly proud to be a part of that history.