Don't Judge the Gift By the Wrapping

A while ago Tif called us with special instructions for a gift that she and our son-in-law had sent.  She said that when the box came, they wanted us to turn it over immediately and not look at the address label so we wouldn't know where it came from.  It would be too much of a give-away.

We did as she said. 

Tif said we must remove the present from the  back side and just enjoy it because they paid quite a bit extra to have it specially gift wrapped.

I was a little surprised at the wrapping and Tif was rather irritated to see the job the mystery company had done for what they charged.

OK I confess, I shook the box a couple of times, but couldn't figure out what they'd send us.

A fruit cake would fit in the box, but it wasn't heavy enough.

On Christmas day, our curiosity was at its peak so we had to open that mystery gift first.

We have a gift exchange system with our kids so that we each only buy gifts for one person.  We take turns every year so that we get a different person.  We also have a somewhat strict limit.  Our system does not apply to our granddaughter.  She gets presents from everybody.

When we were in Illinois in October with our daughter and family after our Mediterranean cruise, I said that I needed a new camera.  We are notorious wafflers, changing our minds, researching, window shopping, checking the Internet until it drives everybody crazy before we actually buy something.

My son-in-law decided to put us (me) out of my misery and bought us a new Canon SX50HS. 

Can you believe it?

We went right out to the Moanalua Gardens on Christmas day just to take some photos.

Then we went home and I took some macros.  Oh yes!  I'm really pleased and really happy.



OK...

I'm ready for our next trip.

And my son-in-law?  Oh I'll definitely be making his favorite dishes when we return to Chicago.