Christmas day continued

The heart broken caroler

Music! We must have music!

"Joy to the world!"

Try as Jon would, my son would not awake! A Thomas indeed.

Art

Marscel waits for the show to start

With amazing cinematography and starring Joshua Phillips, who wouldn't want to see the creation filled, amazing film of

The Mysterious Islands

Look at those salt sneezing monsters ... we want one!

Micaiah learns about King Henry the VIII's six wives

New Years Eve ...

Cousin's are introduced. Wow! I just love how enthusiastic they are!

Dazzled to be sure!

Brainstorming for school, college and the future (incidentally my favorite topic outside of marriage)

An adoring Mama Monica

Don't blink .... don't blink ... AHA! I win.

12:00!!! Happy New Year! Auld Lang Syne!

I love you babe!

Calling in my wife's family!

Hooha!

The plunge ...

Getting spruced up for the big event.

What lovely weather for a swim ... A SWIM!?!?!?

Michael, dear, calm down! (Why does she ALWAYS look better then me in MY hat?)

At First Beach we arrive reinforcements in tow. Though I wrote far and near, the only folks that would join us were the Mello folks. I thank you greatly for you support Stephanie & Tabitha!

Warming up my "core"

My mom: Smilin' & Stylin' in the snow

Our hearts in our throats, we all appear calm ... even cheerful as we approach the water.

"Forward!" We roar as we dash to take the plunge.

When can their glory fade?
O the wild charge they made!
All the world wonder'd.
Honour the charge they made!
Honour the Light Brigade, ... Alfred, Lord Tennyson

Aghghghghgh!!!

Land ... Safe at last!

My mother, who couldn't stop laughing the whole time, also returns safely. Hmm ... is your hair still DRY?!?

My appropriately dressed father robes the royal queen

"We did it!"

The team assembles on the beach for a final shot

Numbness

Going back for just one more dousing

Matthew's car temp

Afterwards we all indulge in a nice cup of hot coffee ... all in all, it was quite an exhilarating experience!

But wait! There's more ...

So after our own Polar Plunge, we saw a mob of about a 1,000 people on the other end of the beach. We knew there was an official plunge, but it was still quite a surprise! Back in my parents day, only about 10 people would show up on any given New Years.

Me & My Sista

My brothers slowly warming up. Although, Micaiah still claims that his legs froze off in the ocean and he is going to have to come back in the spring once they thaw out.

Milling around, we met this guy with the neatest five toed "barefoot shoes". I think that would have done the trick for my little tosies.

Vibram Five Fingers SPRINT Men's Shoes (Navy) FREE SHIPPING (44, Navy/Blue/Camo)

Suddenly, without warning, they're off! A mob of freezing, frozen, flailing folks

One step at a time, the true die-hard makes it back to land.