Meeting The Lambert Family

Sunday, December 16, 2007, we we're able to meet a lot of the extended Lambert Family at their annual/traditional family get-together at Cindy Lambert's Mom's "homestead" south of Columbia, along the Congaree River. Their home is south of the famous Congaree Swamp National Park, where the largest remnant of old growth floodplain forest is located (OK, I took that last line off of the web site!). But it's a cool place, where the living is easy, the residents are relaxed and friendly, and where you might see some alligators. Some say that if you drink the local moonshine you'll see alligators flying, but I don't know about that. This is a picture of Mandy's Uncle enjoying the afternoon sunshine on a cool day - for South Carolina.


The family has a nice tradition of exchanging gifts from "Santa." They even included us in the gift exchange! Here's Mandy receiving what looks like a bed comforter. Philip and Mandy would receive quite a few more gifts before the week was out . . . Seems Philip was checking out the bed of the truck for what? Can't say what a Special Forces Medic might be examining.

Philip and Mandy are examining SOMETHING here. Kinda looks like they might be checking out their cell phone pictures? Why don't they get a REAL camera? That's Mandy's grandfather looking on. He is just the best of people. You'd want him as your neighbor. And he's got a huge collection of one-of-a-kind antiques, historical memorabilia, first run historic newspapers, signed photos by politicians, actors, musicians, which he keeps in an adjacent museum/barn. Here we are with Mandy's Grandparents and twin Uncles.

And here's a real cool jeep, the kind Mark used to drive when he first enlisted in the Army. It's doesn't have a .50 cal machine gun mount in back, but it could be up and driving in no time:

There is also a drop-dead authentic jukebox, which we played after dinner and danced in their quaint living room. These are just great folks and we're glad to be related to them!

Philip seems to be mesmerized by the little spinning acrylic circles. He didn't know what they were. They play music?? How does it do that? Where's the iPod connection?