One more day in Seattle (12/26/2006):
After spending a wonderful Christmas with the Dunlap family, we returned to our hotel. Sam decided to set up the Wii for a little late night tennis. As he was plugging in the Wii, the console fell off of the hutch and broke. The console would not read the DVD's anymore. Sam was one sad camper. The next day (December 26), Mike called up Nintendo and found out that Nintento of America is located in Redmond, Washington, only a mile from our hotel. The service people said that since we "dropped" the console, it would cost about $75 to fix the machine--bummer! After picking up Sebastian and Jessica, we went to the Nintendo headquarters. The person at the service desk told us that they would cover the damage under the warranty for free! Yahoo! She also sold us three more controllers and a numchuck, which we had been looking for throughout our travels! We were so excited to find this awesome company. We also saw Digipen.

Check out the Mario statue and Luigi on a snowboard:

Here's Pikachu--we thought this would be a good shot for the Japanese family:

After our adventures with Nintendo, Jessica and Sebastian took us downtown to ride on a ferry:

Here is a picture of Sam feeding the seagulls in midair!

Here, the Ferry is docking:

This is a shot of Seattle from the Ferry as we were returning:

Christmas 2006:
Geoff Dunlap reads from Luke while the rest of the family role plays the Nativity scene.


The Christmas tree was from the reception. We cut off about three feet to make it fit into the living room. We also added the ornaments on Christmas eve:

We insisted that Peggy open her special gift from Celestine. It was a fabric-covered wedding album with photos from Jessica and Sebastian's wedding and reception in Albuquerque.

The picture that Peggy is laughing at is one that Sam slipped into the album.

This was the picture (Sam in the moonlight):

On Christmas day, Peggy gave Jessica and Sebastian "something blue" for their wedding. They were beautiful, hand-painted figurines of Romeo and Juliet:

On Christmas eve, we had beef fajitas and chips with salsa--a New Mexico favorite, plus leftover turkey from the reception the night before. On Christmas night, Peggy prepared the green salad and steamed veges while Cel finished the main course. We had marinated top sirloin, mashed potatoes, yams topped with pecans, and leftover turkey from the reception. Cel and Sam also baked almond sandies and chocolate chip walnut cookies earlier in the day (not shown):


Waiting patiently for dinner. Sebastian plays a little Wii with Sam and Jess:

Nutcracker (12/24/2006):
We were really in Seattle--all the rain, the Space Needle, and the Pacific Northwest Ballet Company were proof! We enjoyed the Christmas sacrament program at the Dunlap's ward on Sunday morning with their ward choir and a few of the primary children singing solos. The highlight of the program was Peggy singing "Jesus Bambino."

The Dunlap family treated us to their annual family tradition of attending the Nutcracker Ballet on Christmas Eve. We had a lot of culture and refinement in one day!

Everyone wants to pose with the nutcracker:

Jessica and a new friend:

The crazy uncle wants to take Jessica and Sam away!

The giant rat tried to stab Sam and Sebastian with his sword:

Celestine poses with the lovely dress from Swan Lake:

Seattle Reception (12/23/2006):
We arrived in Seattle late on the 22nd. We helped decorate the afternoon of the 23rd for the reception. Mike and Sam put together a lighted arch and Celestine helped in the kitchen. The wedding cake looked beautiful and tasted delicious.

Peggy's friends helped with the food by baking and slicing turkeys and providing fresh fruit and vegetable platters--everything looked lovely and tasted wonderful!



This is Jessica waiting in the hall before the festivities began. Check out the beautiful bouquet made of velvety red roses and fragrant gardenias:

Sebastian came out to check on Jessica. Nice close shave. Ooh-lala!

When the first reception guests were seated, the program began. Sebastian stood by the Christmas tree waiting for his bride while the string quartet played the wedding march. All eyes were on Jessica as she walked across the room towards her handsome groom. When she came into the room, everyone arose, and Sebastian greeted Jessica with a kiss.


Suddenly, a beautiful little ballerina appeared under the lighted arch and danced for the couple! She performed "The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy" from the Nutcracker Ballet. After she bowed for her captive audience, Peggy Dunlap sang "Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring" while the string quartet played on. It was an exciting evening for all!


Jessica sitting at the "head table" enjoying the Christmas-like wedding atmosphere:


Jessica and Sebastian were careful not to smash cake into each other's faces this time around! There were a lot of "ahhh's" in the crowd.

Jessica was in great spirits despite having facial pain and a bad headache caused by an abscessed tooth all week. She had a root canal on December 27th and the pain was finally gone! Thank you Dunlap family and Dr. Nash!


A surprise visit from old St. Nick! The couple had their picture taken on his knee. I wonder what they asked him for Christmas this year...

The mothers of the bride and groom. I sure love that Peggy!

My adopted children, Noah and Sethrina (hee-hee !)