Speaking of photo catch-up... here's the Best of 2008

Clearly, we were having a good time in 2008. Video made with some help from Animoto.

Catching up on holiday photos

The camera has been firing away throughout the holiday season. The blogging fingers, though, are a little behind. So here's a roundup of some of the camera's output:


I happened to be working from the home office during the week prior to Christmas, and that afforded me the opportunity to join Brandy in helping Mason in his classroom as they put the finishing touches on hand-made gingerbread houses. Wouldn't you know I forgot to bring my camera? Bad Daddy! The good news was we got to bring home the finished product ahead of Mason, so I could photograph it in my studio atop the butcher block table before the boys had a chance to tear into it (which I also captured as part of this set).


A week later, I also was able to attend Benjamin's first Christmas concert, as he and his preschool class put on a multi-song exhibition for the parents. Benjamin spent the rest of the week regaling us with is crescendoed version of "Jingle Bells." Ask him to sing it for you sometime. His enthusiasm is priceless and infectious.


A couple of weeks before Christmas, after we visited with Santa, the boys and I went Christmas shopping while Brandy babysat for some friends. Perfect opportunity to shop for Mom! When I asked the boys what they wanted to get Mom for Christmas, Benjamin said, "A shooting star!" Hmm.... Luckily, we were near Michael's, where I figured we'd get inspired to include something approaching a shooting star. We settled on making mosaic flower pots, with some stars added in as tiles. So on Christmas Eve, we sent Mom shopping so we could create. Of course, Daddy didn't plan enough time to completely finish the project before Mom got home, and Mom had to help apply the mortar the next morning, but the boys did most of the work themselves and did so with just the right dose of love. Note how serious they look in applying the tiles. Might have been the hardest I've ever seen them work on a project!


This shot was from Christmas Eve, when we attend a traditional gathering with some friends. It captures Mason being a helpful big brother to Benjamin, something we've been working very hard to influence throughout the holiday season. The effort has not been without its challenges, but the best part of this moment the completely spontaneous gesture on Mason's part. Bravo!


When the boys go back to school on Monday, and they are asked about their Christmas vacation, I would bet a lot of money on them leading the conversation with the Wii Santa brought. So this photo becomes the image that represents our 2008 Christmas Day. That said, there were a few other favorites in the set:

• Benjamin tugs at his Christmas stocking.
• Mason's Jedi pose.
• Sam playing chess with his great grandfather, while Mason hangs on the latter's every word -- and Benjamin tells his great uncle about his girlfriend.
• The boys tumbling on the couch at the end of the day.

The festivities extended well past Christmas, as the annual holiday brunch gathering of Benoit, Booth and Polay children convened at our home. As everyone was readying to leave, we actually managed to get all of the kids to sit still long enough for a group photo. Planets or stars must have been aligned somewhere.


Finally, Mason had a friend sleep over and join us for New Year's Eve frivolity. Mason tells us he was awake at midnight, and he might have been, but when I checked on them at 11:30, they appeared to be out.

Happy holidays to all!