Taking the good advice of my good friend Alice I endeavored to take our family Christmas photo early this year. My friend Chris suggested that both families get out to Old Bethpage Restoration Village last Sunday and take advantage of the beautiful autumn foliage as background for some family pictures. 

I was actually able to achieve seven Irish sweaters.  Not bad, only two of us – Ryan and Sean – had to be clad in average American sweaters.  I was hoping that this year I would be able to get Dave and I in a picture. 

Chris took a nice one.

I think this is the one for the card.

Then after photo op time we toured the village.  The children watched hats being made, went into the carpenter’s house, toured the farm and even sat through a quick lesson in the one room schoolhouse. They worked on slates while Chris and I perused the old grammar text.

hile we walked around the pig pen, which contained the largest pig I have ever seen, we noticed how picturesque the setting was so Chris and set out to get some quick "school" pictures.

All in all a pleasant and productive afternoon.