Christmas Day

Amazingly, the kids actually slept till almost 8:00 in the morning - a blessing since it was so late when we finally got to bed last night.  But there was lots of enthusiasm for seeing the tree, the stockings and gifts once they were awake though Karsten was a bit bewildered by it all.

Dagny had fun checking out her stocking after looking over the marvelous suitcase of paints, colored pencils and pens and crayons that Santa brought for her.

Here Anders is tearing open a gift from one of his cousins - an electronic Battleship game.

And Karsten is already on his Santa gift while checking out another package his mom is holding

Mom is thrilled with her Lion's jersey.

While Jack checks out one of his gifts

Ken and I display our University of North Carolina Charlotte shirts from the Guilfoyles

And here is Dagny in her outfit from us straight from Justice her new favorite clothing store

Christmas Eve Fun

While our children were growing up, we developed several traditions that helped make this very exciting day before Christmas a special one.  It was a day for making cookies, decorating houses we created out of graham crackers, last minute wrapping of gifts we'd been storing in our bedrooms for that magical moment when after dinner and church they would be brought out and put under the tree while we listened to Christmas Carols and enjoyed punch and some of our cookie creations.  Each of our children have adopted one or several of those traditions and made them part of their celebrations in their families.

So it was that today we found our selves creating graham cracker houses, decorating cookies, and enjoying a special worship service followed by a special dinner with Christmas Carols supplying the musical background.  Most of the gifts were already under the tree but they've added the fun of opening one gift which is always brand new Christmas PJs before setting out cookies and a note for Santa and then crawling into bed.

Janet took on the job of cutting the graham crackers into the shapes needed to complete the houses. This takes great patience and a brand new box of crackers as many often break in the process of cutting but she was successful.  She then whipped up the icing "glue" needed to build them.

 Meanwhile the kids had the fun of opening all kinds of candies they would use to make their creations.  That, of course, leads to a sugar high but then it is a special day.

I helped her "glue" the houses together

and then the kids were off and running each coming up with their own special creations attempting to use as many different kinds of candy as they could possibly come up with.

 Janet had the fun of making Karsten's house while he took a nap.

Several games of Candyland were a perfect activity to prepare for this adventure.  Each of us, Dagny, Anders and I had a chance to win at least one game while visions of sweets danced in their heads.

Following a quick run to the shopping mall for a last minute gift at one of the shops, Janet, Ken and I returned to get shaped cookies baked and ready for decorating prior to dressing up for our trip to church.  When we returned, we had to take the "required" family pictures under the tree,

and then changed back into play clothes to finish the job of decorating cookies using all kinds and colors of icing and sprinkles.

Meanwhile Jack was busy preparing steak, baked potatoes, and asparagus for our festive meal.  Janet had recorded all of her favorite Christmas Carols on her IPod so it was attached to speakers and we had some great background music to accompany our meal.

The kids then enjoyed opening the packages and slipping into their brand new PJs,

picking out the cookies to leave for Santa and writing a note to him before crawling into bed for a good nights sleep.

Then, of course, "Santa" had to go to work filling stockings and setting out a special unwrapped gift from him before the adults could settle down for a night of rest as well.

Texas or Bust

This year we decided to spend Christmas with our youngest daughter, Janet and her family in Southlake, Texas (northwestern suburb of Dallas)  Unfortunately that is about 1200 miles from our RV Park in Florida so quite a driving adventure.

A Golf Cart Parade

Each year our park sponsors a golf cart parade - an evening of fun when those with carts decorate and light up their carts for a parade around the park with Santa always appearing in the last cart.  That is then followed by a time of singing carols while enjoying cookies and hot chocolate (or coffee).

A few of the neighbors gathered outside our motorhome to watch the parade.

 Lots of people decorate their RV's with lights and other decorations at this time of the year.  This one is always totally lit up during the season.

This is our shed decorated for the season and below it the motorhome

The Mid Florida Winnies Travel to Sarasota

In mid December our Winnebago group went to the Sun and Fun RV Park for several days of fun and, of course, our monthly meeting.  It was billed as a Christmas Party by the hosts Bob and Kathy Olson and Bob and Lynn Czaesar.

One of the things we really enjoyed was the opportunity to visit the Marie Selby Gardens that sit on property abutting the Gulf.  Such a beautiful setting although the strong cool breezes made it a might brisk to spend alot of time near the water.

These gardens are best known for their huge collection of "air" plants -- epiphytes including orchids and bromeliads.  They had a huge greenhouse filled with a fantastic display of them.

Including this intriguing "ant plant"found in Malesia

Outside there was a wonderful "children's garden" area with board walks, play areas, intriguing signs and displays to capture interest.  This big hugging tree with the explanatory sign that better tells a bit more about air plants.  Note the huge banyon tree behind it.

This was one of the intriguing walkways showing off the air plants and unusual trees.

This is a sampling of several of the air plants spotted in nearby trees

One of the things we discovered is that there are several types of bamboo trees and they come in different colors.  Here is a spot where three different types are growing.

This egret was enjoying the plantings near the water.

This home of friends who lived next door to the Selby's has now become part of the garden area and is used to display beautiful art work as well as give visitors an opportunity to enjoy the unique architecture inside.  The owner loved curves and shapes and did some interesting things like creating a staircase to a second floor balcony that looked out on the patio and water and beautifully arched doorways.

This lovely display of air plants and tropical plants was outside the home.

We also enjoyed a trip over to see what is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.  It was quite cool so there were very few people enjoying this huge expanse of white sands.

Here I am with friends Bette and Frank Foulke

Part of the fun at the campout was the "bad"Christmas shirt contest

 The creation of reindeer antlers with panty hose and balloons

 And each team creating a Christmas tree person using a sheet of foil, two rolls of rolled crepe paper and tape.  I'm the tree on the left.  Aren't I lovely??? Actually that was the winner. :-)

Here is a close up of two of us: me on the left and Frank Foulke on the right.