TRIP NORTH

I love my new 7'5 foot prelit Christmas tree I put up this year. We got it on sale last year from Lowe's. We had a nice party with our neighbors on Saturday.
 We left our house on Christmas morning at 4:00 and went to the airport. Our plane left at 6:50. 

We were at my sister's at 9:30 a.m.. Many of our gifts had been sent there so we wrapped them, had breakfast and then opened the presents

 with Bob and Lynda.

Thursday Lynda took us to Exton and we had breakfast with our grandsons, Brady and Chase. Brady told us he had just gotten hired for a full time social studies teaching position in Columbia,PA, and that Irena and he would be married on May 23rd.  Chase had finished his first semester at West Virginia University. We are so proud of both of them.
Friday we rented a car and went to Brian's and Dorothy's. That evening was a nice party at Dorothy's sister's.

 Saturday we visited Mystique and her family. That is the kitten that kept us busy this summer.

 There gift to the children this year was a dog. It is a Belgium Malinois. Her name is Mali.

 Mystique is working on training it.

 Mystique painted the faces on these big dolls they had made. There are four, one for each of them.

 Ashtyn with her doll.

 They can play together.

 It was a beautiful warm day for December 28th.

 They played outside all day.

 Eric had to work so when he came home we had a delicious dinner then opened presents.

 Hunter opened his boxes first.

 He loves dinosaurs.

 Ashtyn and Howie got puppets.

 Alivia got a Light up easel. She is really becoming a good artist.

Howie enjoyed playing with a dinosaur.  We had a really nice visit with the family.
Unfortunately our plans to see Mark on Sunday didn't work out.

We left to come back to Florida on December 31 at 4;50 in the afternoon.
 We arrived at our house at 8:00 and at 8:30 we were at Thousand Trails for a good New Year's Eve party.

CHRISTMAS MUSIC

We always enjoy the music and special programs at Christmas time. On December 6 we went into Epcot and saw the Candlelight Processional with Whoopi Goldberg reading the Christmas story. We stayed and watched the new firework exhibit which were very different and we liked very much.

 Friday, December 13 we went to Florida Lakes Symphony orchestra at the Family Christian Center in Clermont.

They played the Nutcracker Suite, Winter from the Four Seasons by Antonio Vivaldi, some Carols and Marco Romano sang O Holy Night. 

 Saturday evening we went into Universal for the Holiday Parade.

 These are balloons they use in the Macy's parade in New York on Thanksgiving. I have never gone,so I enjoyed seeing them close up.

 Between the balloons were floats.

 It was a little windy so they were kept low, but it was fun seeing how they were carried.

And of course the parade ended with Santa.

 After the parade we stayed for the concert. This is the 13 year they has performed at Universal.

 There are no seats, so you sit on the ground the whole time.

 We had front row seating, the only problem was the speaker beside us was a little load, kbut we could really see everyone.

 The music was great and the last 20 minutes was the songs from  Who-ville Who's Grinchmas.

Then on Sunday was FUMC's Christmas Cantata.

Some musicians accompanied the choir and the bells played a song. Susan Brandt does a great job of conducting the choir.  We enjoyed a delicious meal in the Wesley Center after the concert.  What a beautiful way to celebrate the Christmas season.

MY FLIGHT

Larry gave me a tandem hang gliding flight at Wallaby Ranch for my 70th birthday gift. I always wanted to fly like a bird and the last thing on my bucket list to do. The Ranch is in Davenport,FL only 12 miles away from our house.

 The weather was good for a flight on Saturday and I wanted to go while Lynda was still here.

 We arrived at 7:45 a.m. along with about 15 others. It was fun watching everyone take off and land. Finally it was my turn to go up.

 Helped into the harness.

 Stretched out and Marcus( the owner) was my co- pilot, Ready to fly.

 The plane pulls us up. We are off the ground,

 and in the air.

 I flew like a bird. It was great, very quiet and relaxing. Marcus taught me how to turn it.

 A great landing, right where we started.

All smiles.

Jumping for joy!

Once everyone had flown we all went back to their barn and had a very nice breakfast.
 I would recommend hang gliding to anyone. It is way smoother then Soaring at Epcot, no sudden dips and things in your face. I loved it. 

MY 70th

 I had a beautiful 70th birthday.

 My sister came to celebrate with me. Larry got a cake and we had the neighbors over for ice cream and cake.

In the morning there was a flock of hooded mergansers on our pond. This is the first time I have ever  seen them on the pond,

When I looked up I saw this amazing sky. It made my birthday very special.

TRAILER REMODELING

Larry was asked by the church to help a family get this trailer ready to move in to by the end of the month. The trailer had been gutted and the husband was trying to do all the work himself, his wife is very ill. He wanted to have the bathroom put in so his wife could at least come with him while he worked on the trailer. Larry needed some help from Roger with plumbing in the tub. Then Larry and Danny put in the toilet.

Bathroom sink and vanity installed.

Larry installed the wall for the bathroom.

Thanks to donations from our Friends and Fellowship Sunday School Class Larry purchased cabinets, counter and sink for the kitchen. On Wednesday he finished the installation.

Larry was glad that Danny was able to give him some help.

The kitchen is finished and they plan to move in tomorrow.