Omnium-gatherum
Matt Hanson’s Brain Archive
February 18, 2006
“I can’t believe he did it!”
All parents will remember that first Christmas where their kid(s) first “got it”, that this was a time for excitement. The jolly benevolent man in red was coming down the chimney, and bringing gifts to fulfill our imagination! This was the year that Kaley was that kid who held Santa Clause in awe. She came down the steps Christmas morning and saw that bright red plastic fire truck, with Rescue Hero Billy Blazes on the ladder ready to hose down anything.
“He did it, I can’t believe he did it! The fire truck!”. It was a great day.
Christmas is a conflicting time for me. On one hand it is an exciting, fun time and I want to share it with my kids and have them experience it. I loved Christmas when I was a kid and wanted to share some of that with my kids. On the other hand, the excesses of Christmas around us have dwarfed the real meaning of Christmas. It’s now got two separate parts: the Christian part and the secular gift giving part. To complicate it further I no longer subscribe to the Christian religion, so am I a poser for still celebrating a part of Christmas? Maybe. But when I was a kid, it was religious; I was religious. So how do I reconcile these feelings? I’ll teach my kids the real meaning of Christmas, as I was taught. When they’re older they can make their own decision, as I did.
This gallery contains several Christmas celebrations from the end of December to into January: My family Christmas, Kim’s family Christmas, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day. To me, that’s the real value of Christmas - visits with loved ones.
February 27, 2005
December 28, 2004
November 26, 2004
September 30, 2004
Family Visits
Here’s a couple set of pics taken in September. We went over to Portland to visit my mother one weekend. I finally got some good pictures of Kaley with her. Then Kim’s uncle Keith (Tarleton) and family came over one saturday to see the new house and we had a BBQ. It was also the last day we used the pool, which was a steamy 68 degrees…brrr.
September 26, 2004
Brunch for 20 at 60
For my Mom’s 60th Birthday we had a brunch at The Harraseeket Inn, a truly fantastic restaurant. The brunch was simply amazing and we had great company with my Mom’s family and close friends.
August 22, 2004
Welcome to our New Home
In August we had a housewarming party which turned out to be really bad weather with thunder showers. But it did clear up a bit later in the day and we had good times with the pool.
July 31, 2002
I heart Maine
My mom rented a house near Skowhegan the second week in July for a family vacation. We had a family reunion the first Sunday, and a nice relaxing week the rest of the time.
December 25, 2001
Family Christmas
This year we spent Christmas at my Mom’s house (the first time in many years). The last several pictures were taken Christmas night with Kim’s family.
November 22, 2001
Gobble Gobble
This year Thanksgiving was at my Mom’s new house in Cape Elizabeth.
August 18, 2001
The Vermettes
At a camp near Skowhegan we had a small reunion with my Aunt Ruth and Uncle Jerry’s family, some family friends, and my family.
April 21, 2001
Vacationland
Near the end of April Kim and I headed to Maine to visit some of my family for a few days. We first headed to Portland and saw Mom, Jessica, Brian, Shannan, and Gage, then we got to see Jason’s new pad. Sunday we drove Jessica back home to Bangor and went out to The Sea Dog for Jessica’s Birthday. We stayed with my Dad for a couple nights, then came back through Camden (spent the afternoon there), then dinner with Mom in Portland, then home.
March 3, 2001
February 18, 2001
Christmas and Moosehead
Various family pictures, Christmas and my brother Paul’s 4th birthday. Also pictures of Moosehead Lake.
When I was very not born
Before the year 1970 my brother’s Paul and Brian were just being born and I was still a few years off. These are images of a Wedding, family shots, Paul as a baby, and scenes of Chatham in Cape Cod. Many of the pictures of my grandparents and their friends are quite blurry.
