It’s a week late, perhaps, to be writing a post entitled “Solstice,” I suppose. But doing so helps prolong the holiday celebration, right? At least that’s what I’m telling myself.

Since Chloe was born, Melinda and I started a small family tradition that involves the four of us celebrating solstice. With so much family being local, Christmas can’t help but be a big deal. And when the girls were young we wanted to have a holiday celebration that was just our own. Given the importance the sun plays on Melinda’s psyche, celebrating the solstice has been perfect.

For the first time since 1993, however, this year was a bit tough. Chloe, at 19, had scheduled a babysitting job that interfered with our usual sundown celebration (not that we blame her – she needs to earn college tuition money). So on Sunday last week we drove down to Portland, just the four of us, and spent the night.

Today’s photo is of our presents, one per person, that we opened at our hotel room. Very elegant, per Melinda.