Merry Christmas to all!

Had a very nice time with the fam today out in the 'ville. Everyone seemed to enjoy their gifts, especially Bee (fourth row tickets to Blue Man Group on a Saturday). Mom and Pops were happy too with their dinner at Catch 35 and 36" television (ok, it was really my old one....shhhh). Just kidding, it was my old one but they knew about it and it just happened to fit perfectly where they had a 27" one previously. The 27" is now going to their place in Michigan. The food was delicious and I'll post pics of the event tomorrow.

I've been up since 6:30 (to hit 7:45 mass) and didn't sleep well. Met MWrigley's parents last night and this evening. It was a little hairy for a bit last night, but all was good today. They even bought me presents! I'm not sure how often I'll be able to see M this week, but I'm hopeful. She loved just about all of her gifts. Almost all of her gifts to me were clothes that she likes, so apparently she doesn't like the way I dress. :-P

Here are trees from around the world, courtesy of Joisey Ken.

The Capitol Christmas tree in Washington, D.C., is decorated with 3,000 ornaments that are the handiwork of U.S. schoolchildren. Encircling evergreens in the "Pathway of Peace" represent the 50 U.S. states.

Moscow celebrates Christmas according to the Russian Orthodox calendar on Jan. 7. For weeks beforehand, the city is alive with festivities in anticipation of Father Frost's arrival on his magical troika with the Snow Maiden. He and his helper deliver gifts under the New Year tree, or yolka, which is traditionally a fir.













The Christmas tree that greets revelers at the Puerta del Sol is dressed for a party. Madrid's two-week celebration makes millionaires along with merrymakers. On Dec. 22, a lucky citizen will win El Gordo (the fat one), the world's biggest lottery.

A token of gratitude for Britain's aid during World War II, the Christmas tree in London's Trafalgar Square has been the annual gift of the people of Norway since 1947.

"Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree": Even in its humblest attire, aglow beside a tiny chapel in Germany's Karwendel mountains, a Christmas tree is a wondrous sight.












The world's largest Christmas tree display rises up the slopes of Monte Ingino outside of Gubbio, in Italy's Umbria region. Composed of about 500 lights connected by 40,000 feet of wire, the "tree" is a modern marvel for an ancient city










In addition to the Vatican's heavenly evergreen, St. Peter's Square in Rome hosts a larger-than-life nativity scene in front of the obelisk.













The largest Christmas tree in Europe (more than 230 feet tall) can be found in the Praça do Comércio in Lisbon, Portugal. Thousands of lights adorn the tree, adding to the special enchantment of the city during the holiday season.









A Christmas tree befitting Tokyo's nighttime neon display is projected onto the exterior of the Grand Prince Hotel Akasaka.










Before the ball drops in Times Square, the Big Apple turns on its holiday charm with the Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center. This snow-globe-worthy scene celebrates its 75th anniversary this season.

Against a backdrop of tall, shadowy firs, a rainbow trio of
Christmas trees lights up the night (location unknown).