Visit to Nana Joy Saturday - Monday 12/31/18

We drove to Okeechobee on Saturday morning, first looked at a home for sale on Players Club Road (Eagle Harbor Golf Course) on the way. Beautiful weather, really warm - the low 80's! Ginger behaved herself and enjoyed the adventure.
We went to the flea market, Goodwill store and church on Sunday. Joy cooked a roast beef and ribs plus many sides. All yummy!
On the drive to her home, Ginger was very good:

I didn't take any photos, so lined them up on Monday morning so we would have one or two.....

These look similar, all good!

Tried taking a selfie, never very good. Guess we should practice or actually use a stick, my arm is only so long!

Almost ready to leave, one final picture with Ginger in the car. 

 Happy New year Eve's!

More Christmas Week! Mia and Mike!

After Christmas Day, I was home on Wednesday, the 26th. Spent time picking up our presents, boxes, paper, etc. Ford and AA went to the golf course (played with Coach Bryan, Ryan and Tyler), then to the River House to kill an hour while waiting to go see Mary Poppins Returns. The movie was very good, just can't live up to the original, it had new stories, fantasy scenes and new songs. Emily Blunt was very good. Just kept comparing it to the original, so can't give it a "10". Loved seeing Dick Van Dyke and Angela Lansbury near the end.

12/27/18 AA had Robotics Team meeting, then math tutor Mr. Story. Mia and Mike visited on their way to Miami to watch some basketball and football. Ford entertained them at the River House until I arrived home from work. The lighting is poor inside the RH, it was dark outside.

Madison and Michael with Uncle Ford in the middle:

Friday, home from work, a visit to the River House, packing so that we could leave Saturday morning to see Nana Joy.

Recap of other Christmas Activities

On AA's last day of school, the 6th graders held a Christmas Carole Breakfast and all were invited to dress for the time period. Ms. Penny loaned AA a long black skirt and a forest green (or was it teal) wool cape. She looked the part of Bob Cratchit's daughter.
Ford took sausage biscuits rather than making a breakfast casserole. Photo copied from OPE Facebook:

AA was invited to a Christmas party on December 22nd, at Ian Bailey's home. They played, had dinner and took a wrapped gift to exchange (AA took a Nerf gun and received warm socks in the exchange).
George modeling the L.L. Bean snow tube we sent to the Stone Family.

Christmas wreath from my Mom, she also sent us a L.L. Bean Breakfast box, box of mini-whoopie pies, Consumer Report subscription, AA's L.L. Bean slippers and plaid hoodie and more!

We also installed three new Pella upstairs windows, one in AA's room and two in ours. We began this journey on August 15th (ordered them back in May!) and still not completely done as the inspector has to return on 01/10/2019! 
Update: We received AA's owl from Mila's November birthday party "Doing Dishes". Cute!

Christmas 2018!

Christmas Eve day arrived with us finishing wrapping, a few errands, prep work for the broccoli slaw, cleaning house, baking a pecan pie, do-ahead mashed potatoes, stripping beds, laundry, etc. Carolyn arrived with AA about 4:00 p.m. We had a wonderful Christmas Eve with friends and cuz Carolyn at the River House (Maureen and Hugh), Candle Light church service (9:00 p.m.) and delicious homemade ham dinner. We were sleepy so bed time was at 11:00 p.m.!

Carolyn and AA baked cookies!

I made a homemade pecan pie:

Sausage and egg (with lots of veggies) breakfast casserole:

Citrus fruit is starting to ripen, lemons, limes and Justin's grapefruit:

Christmas morning was a happy time seeing AA's face light up with new fun games: her Nintendo Switch, old fashioned record player and original Dungeons and Dragons (from her Aunt Carolyn). She also received new Nerf guns, Lego set. From my Mom, her Nana, she has new L.L. Bean slippers and a plaid hoodie. 
I made homemade broccoli slaw, Ford made fudge and peanut brittle.
The afternoon was a lovely gathering hosted by Cathy and Werner, dinner and seeing lots of grown kids and little kids (missed Justin due to being sick, and Kilee). Especially happy to see Miss Cara and little Pearl! Merry Christmas to all and Happy New Year with all the blessing, prosperity and goodness you may receive and give to others in 2019!❤️

Having Carolyn with us makes the day even more special!

Handing out presents!

Dungeons and Dragons from Carolyn:

AA's stocking stuffers:

Making broccoli slaw:

Cathy and Pearl:

AA, Mila, Avery and Dylan:

AA received many gifts, a Michael Jackson album, purse, gift cards, bathrobe, etc. 

Merry Christmas!

NFJG Amelia National Tournament

AA has played in most of the Fall NFJG series. She did okay in this one, one stroke from 2nd place, 4 strokes from 1st place.

From Jack's Newsletter:
What a great day at Amelia National Country Club for the annual “The National” Golf Tournament. Temps were in the low 60’s with a brisk breeze out of the northwest which made the course play a little tougher than normal. Already a tough Tom Fazio design, Sundays pin placements didn’t make it any easier and were certainly ideal for a “Super-intendant Revenge” tournament.
In the Girls Division the Rising and Elite would be combined and this week Thanya Arasu from St. John’s, Florida would bring home her first Championship Medal with a nice round of 83.  Three strokes back would be three times a medal winner Bunnell’s Beatrice Dietz with 86 tied with Ponte Vedra’s Grace Richards who was all smiles because she played one of her finest rounds. A scorecard playoff took place in which Dietz was declared the Silver Medalist and receiving her first NFJG TOUR Medal would be smiling Grace Richards.  Great job Ladies!

More December Fun! Kilee and AA"s Spelling Bee

Kilee's Christmas evening dance recital was well attended; Ford went while AA and I stayed home (she had a tournament the next day):

The family (Leaa and Dylan did not attend, already had Dylan's birthday sleep over planned):

Pretty!

Kilee's Mom Kelly and Grandma Cathy:

Program:

AA was a finalist for the OPE Spelling Bee; she was the 4th last person standing. We were proud of her! Her friend Owen won!

AA missed the spelling of gonadalia.

Eagle Harbor Screaming Eagles are Three-Times City Champions!

Three years in a row! PGA Junior City Champions!

AA after her match was over; waiting for all players to finish on the ninth hole:

Ms. Penny and AA:

Scores - Eagle Harbor won with 31.5 points:

The presentation of awards:

Coach Bryan and AA:

Eagle Harbor and Deercreek:

AA with City Trophy:

Champions!