But of course, Karen Duquette had to make sure Santa knew what to bring her for Christmas. This was her Christmas letter to Santa.

Below: Christmas party number 2 was held at a Newcomers Members house. Again, no costume prizes nor games were played. Everyone brought food and a nice time was had by all, even though no photos were taken. But Karen Duquette did take one photo of Lee and her before they left for the party. Karen DID wear a Christmas hat to the party though.

Below: Lee and Karen Duquette's
Great-Grandchildren

Even Renee's dog, Dutch, got in the photo
with Anthony and Karen.

Below: Apparently, not very many photos were taken of the food. But Karen Duquette did take two photos of Lee and Anthony at the food table. If anyone else took photos, they were not given to Karen.

Below: Time for the great-grandchildren to open their presents.
Gabriella was given $50 from her great-grandparents, Lee and Karen Duquette.
And her grandparents bought her lots of gifts.

Below: Anthony also was given $50 from his great-grandparents, Lee and Karen Duquette. And of course they also gave their daughter money for Christmas.

Anthony received a bunch of gifts from his grandparents, Renee and John. Gifts from his mother and Santa were received earlier at their house.

Below: Anthony received a very special gift from his grandfather, John who made a special cabinet shelf for his cars with a special hidden drawer.

Below: Anthony also received a gaming chair from his grandparents.

Below: Gabriella received a whole bunch of gifts from her grandparents. But this year, Karen Duquette just did not take as many photos as usual. Family members who took photos do not often pass the photos on to Karen. But Karen does sometimes ask them for photos of Gabriella and Anthony for their Shutterfly photo books she makes for them.

Below: Karen and Lee Duquette's grandson, Alex - plus their granddaughter, Kristen, who was all wrapped up in a new blanket she received from her mother. Kristen loves her Christmas hot air balloon, and Karen loves it too, because she has actually taken a hot hot air balloon ride, many years ago.

Below: Lee Duquette with his Christmas gifts. This year, he actually wore a Christmas shirt.

Below: Kristen gave her grandfather (known as Grampy) a shirt she forgot to give him last year, plus a new shirt for this year. Lee Duquette loves getting shirts with his great-grandchildren photos on the shirt. (Just as he loved getting shirts from Renee with his grandchildren, Kristen and Alex when they were young.)

Below: John Smythers with a couple of the gifts from his wife, Renee. He was really surprised by the wine barrel that he really wanted, but never really expected to get. (Note: The barrel is empty)

As usual, it was a wonderful Christmas day with family.

Below: The newest Christmas tree ornament for Karen and Lee Duquette's Travel Tree - Santa on a Segway.