The Schweitzers

Just in time for Thanksgiving, it's...

...Halloween pictures!

First, we begin with a visit to the Ganyard Hill Farm, where April, Ruby and Alex picked out some choice pumpkins.

Mr. Pumpkin Head himself had a grand old time:

We debuted as the Cowfamily at the Chandler's Halloween party.  Brokeback jokes by Rafael were ignored.

Assistant deputy Alex:

Wait, did I say assistant deputy?  That looks like a sheriff's badge.  My apologies.

Warning: Cowchildren® are not intended for use in live cattle-ropin' operations.

Samantha and Christopher of the Mouse faction joined us for the treat-begging portion of the evening. (Astute readers will recognize this photo as an homage to "The Cactus Kid" Disney animation short featuring Mickey and friends, released in 1930.)

Bravely, cautiously, they approach the door.

Christopher put forth a valiant effort, but eventually he just ran out of steam.

Coy smile?  Or continued efforts to extricate emulsified corn syrup from incisors?

More photos from our Halloween festivities available here and here.

Five Aural Christmas Annoyances:

1. Dearth of non-"Feliz Navidad" Spanish-language Christmas jingles
2. Yuletide admonishments from John & Yoko
3. Con-artist kid who needs "shoes for his mom"
4. Half of Wham! whining about last year's Christmas
5. Yet another round of "Twelve Days of Christmas" parody commercials telling me how much junk to buy

Easter

April and Ruby on the front porch, Easter afternoon.

More Easter photos here.

Christmas Poem

Penned by the Poet Laureate of Silver Lake (who happens to be my dad) and read at this year's Silver Lake Christmas festival:

Oh Christmas Tree
In the coldest months of winter,
When the north wind's running free,
I lift my gaze from frozen earth,
To this ageless Christmas tree.
Unchanging through the seasons,
Hopeful, ancient, evergreen,
Treasured house of memory
Of things past and not yet seen.
Yet silently with measured pause,
Like a face before a mirror,
I look and look to see,
My image changing through the years.
Long shadows make the evening seem,
Like a life that’s closing in a dream,
That’s left us nothing of it,
But small Bethlehem’s starry gleam.
A reflection for the moment,
Of the Christ child come to earth,
Who bore our frail human image,
In His humble glorious birth.

- G.J.Schweitzer 12/05