Neergaard Family Christmas - 2003

Well, again this year alas, we didn't manage to get the thirteen of us posed together for a Christmas family portrait;   someone had opened the window at the Van Der Werffs, and.....  in flew Enza.    But undeterred, the survivors had a splendid celebration at 203 Poage Farm Road, chairs for the absent thoughtfully turned backward at the table.  On Boxing day,  Richard and Ishraq left for a long weekend in New Orleans, giving Gampa and Gamma the honor and joy of having Samer and Lila as houseguests.  Then, once the Brussels contingent returned and collected their offspring to fly back to Europe for their round of  New Year's Eve parties, said Gampa and Gamma, abandoning Arthur to what had become his  sick-bed, drove to Evansville to exchange presents with the by-now on-the-mend (kinda) Van Der Werffs, meet their new puppy and kitten, and cheer with them the ball's falling (safely - yay!) at Times Square, creating 2004.

Here are three sets of photos (click on a thumbnail picture to see the photo full size):

From
Christmas Eve->
(Only one gift exchanged that evening with the children.  They were then packed off to bed, leaving the rest of the night for the adults):
gkids
From  Christmas_Day->
(all about the kids -
.....and grown-ups
relaxing)
:
LiLo

     
and..... From New Year's Day->
vdfs


(of a belated Christmas
in Evansville).