Yes, Matthias has personality.

About carrying his juice cup on a long trip: "I have a cup holder on my backpack. It's a cup holder with extra precision."

About wearing his John Deere sweatshirt to Bob and Linda's (who bought him the shirt): "They'll be John Deere surprised!"

After making a disgruntled face and having Mommy and Daddy show off their own disgruntled faces: "Nana's disgruntled face is better than ours."

Merry, silly, artistic

We recently had the annual Taking of the Holiday Photo by Matt Kreamer. You know how the royal family has certain things provided by certain companies through the centuries? The queen gives what's called a royal warrant for these things. We have given one to Uncle Kreamo for his invaluable service in this area. He makes Matt pay attention, and makes me look how I imagine myself to be, which is not at all how I usually look in photographs. Uncanny!

Last year, I told him, "you make people look like they really are."

He said, "Yeah, but who wants that?"