Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah to All

We had a relaxing a Christmas Eve dinner at our friends Harry and Wendy house in Castro Valley. The Brewster Boys get along really well with Bethany and Savannah, so we were able just kick back and hang out with our friends. There were plenty of toys for the boys to play with, and I even got to watch the Hawaii Bowl (Nevada v. Central Florida) on television.

Dinner was Chinese Hot Pot, which consists of raw meat, fish and vegatables and boiling cauldrons of chicken broth. You cook it yourself at the table, and then enjoy the leftover broth. The sliced ribeye was especially yummy.

Russell and Punky really enjoyed Wendy's mother's wontons. Wontons are boiled dumplings of pork, shrimp and vegetables wrapped in a pasta-like shell. Sort of like Chinese ravioli. They ate 14 and 4 of them, respectively. In contrast, Bethany and Savannah, who are both older than Russell and Punky, ate 2 and 1 wontons apiece.


Spreading Christmas cheer, Punky asks if we want a shot of brandy


Russell takes his study of insects seriously enough to engage in role-playing


Russell, Bethany and Savannah at the Christmas dinner table


The Three Wise Men


Punky checks out a sleeping Russell


Bethany attempts a Vulcan mind-meld with a sleeping Russell


Punky gets placed on hold during calls to his grandparents wishing them a Merry Christmas


Peace and goodwill towards brothers on Christmas Eve