So the Earth has reached the end of it’s trip past the Sun, and is now getting ready to whip around one side of Winter, and head back towards Spring. We did not fly off on the last turn, and I trust we will not flip off on this turn, either. However, we did have a lot of adventures.
Happy Holidays!
We will start with Happy Holidays! We look pretty much the same. Here we are at an Ice Show at the hockey rink. So far we are healthy, happy, and not so fat anymore! I have lost 30 pounds on a intermittent fast diet. Or anti-diet.
Jessica and Hayden came for a visit, so we took them out on the Hillsborough River to check out the alligators. If you come visit, we will do the same for you.
Then Val and I went to Washington DC, for a Character Conference. It was all Val’s, so I went as arm candy, which I think I did very well!
We stayed at a Hotel just down the street from the National Zoo. Which is only slightly different than the Capital.
Since it was nearing Halloween, the park was very decorated. I could not tell if the animals were wearing costumes.
I spent two days going through the National Galleries. Here is the only DaVinci in the Western Hemisphere. Look familiar?
I had a car like this once, but with a smaller rock.
I got caught in a demonstration in front of the Lebanese Embassy.
And, of course, the White House. Notice the dark cloud hanging over it?
Then came Halloween. We did not win any contests, sadly. And we have a lot of candy left over.
Leila’s Birthday was a VERY BIG deal. She turned 6. I told her to stop growing up, but as usual, she ignored me.
She did insist on the party, though. That’s my favorite part of birthdays, too.
Then we had a few open days, so we dashed up to Pasco, Washington to see Rob and Susan. They took us on a tour of the Columbia Gorge.
Which included a run to Portland, to see George and Susan. They took us on a marathon tour, which included the tram ride to the hospital.
So Rob offered to take a picture of Val and I behind the falls. Guess what he thought was the most important? We are the two dots on the right.
The view from behind the falls. Not many waterfalls in Florida! It was a little chilly by Florida standards.
I did get to meet Ms. Big Foot. She was not very cute, but who am I to talk?
Then Thanksgiving, which we start with an early morning 5 K, the Turkey Trot.
Sal and I cooking the pig, another tradition.
And turkey, of course, with Joe, the host, and Hayden and Jessica.
Cute family! Out by the pool on Thanksgiving.
Jessica, Kyna, Alex and Carmen posing. 4 Beauties.
Leila being loved. She loves attention, of course!
Not certain how a stripper pole fits in with Thanksgiving. But somehow we did it. Actually, it was the house next door.
And who was the star? No surprise there.
Next up? Christmas, naturally. Starting with a visit with Santa.
In Florida land, this was billed as a natural snowfall.
Although the snow did not look as natural up close.
Here I am eating the credit cards in a failed attempt to keep from using them for Christmas purchases. Darn that consumerism stuff.
Leila performs at her recital. She is getting good at her playing. And her performing.
The dogs are as rambunctious as ever. Besides sleeping a lot, they are love bunnies.
For our anniversary (19 years!) we went to the Tran Siberian Orchestra show in Tampa. What a performance.
Which closes out our latest installment. Among the details, Val was retired for almost 24 hours this time. She is now Regional Director for Character.Org. I am still an active Guardian ad Litem, trying to save abused, abandoned and neglected kids. Holden Caulfield would be proud of me.