Christmas With The "Grands"

Austin, Alexandra (Ali), Max & Margie acting up a bit for Pop Pop.  Aren't the holidays exciting?

Cold outside, so let's create a few "Van Gogh's".

Margie in the caboose of the train ride at Gaylord Hotel in National Harbor on the Potomac.

Nancy, Natalie & Maile (texting, after all what else is a 14-year old supposed to do) and watching the train go round.

Max.  He was just about too old for this child's play.  But he went along for the ride.  :-)

Maile & Nat at the Chinese eatery.  Potomac River out the window.

Nice lady took this pic of our entire family on the way to lunch.  It was a cold, windy day.  Kids don't even notice the weather.

Santa had a tough time holding on to a squirming Mason.  Poor Max is being squished.  And Ali's little pigtail, cute!

Gingy, the cookie at the Gingerbread House inside Gaylord's.  Kids were dancing with Gingy.

Decorating cookies.

Not much into this decorating thing, but can get into the eating part. Mason.

That cookie was good!  Time to reflect on our masterpieces!

Time for opening presents.  What is it about kids & surprises & presents.  Oh the joy of Grands & Christmas.  Thank you Lord for the gifts.

Here Mommy, what is this?

"Ali, let me try"!

Ali, loving her new baby & in her new dress, over jeans.  Isn't that the latest craze?

Time to burn some of those cookies off back at the hotel.

Max.  Hmmm!  Bet that leaves a mark.  A big red one.

The whole gang at Jen's house.

It's all about the young, and the young at-heart.  And of course the "Christ" in Christmas!

Time for goodbyes and tears as a joyful & thankful time comes to an close.  Making memories for our Grands.  After all, what else is there to do for Grands. Until next blog, Joe & Nancy, from Bushnell, FL.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Holidays With Our Family

During our 8-week stay at my Sister Debbie's home in Oregonia, we managed to spend a week in the motor home up at the Ryder Cup in Chicago.  It was held at the Medina CC, and the Europeans whipped us.  Sad!  Here s a pic of their club house and putting green.  Nice!

Tiger & his caddy.  I was a ADA shuttle driver and Nancy drove the golfers and their families to & fro the hotels each day.  

Their were many VIPs attending the affair.  Here is Mr. Trump.

We were camped at Great Lakes FAMCAMP right on Lake Michigan the first few days.  Nice, and I caught a nice 8 pound steelhead salmon right in the marina harbor.

Got home (Virginia Beach) in time to celebrate Halloween with Natalie's kids, Margaret, Maxwell & Mason. 

"Here Pop Pop, try this piece".

Thanksgiving found our daughters & and G'children in Virginia Beach.  It was fun time for reflection, fellowship-bellyship, and playing games and catching up on the events we all had and shared during the past 10 months.

Our first G'baby, Maile.  Wow, 14 already.  What a beautiful young lady!  Jennifer in foreground.

A little cool, as is expected for late November.  Marge, Natalie, Omani & Mason rocking on the front porch.

Time to burn off some of that turkey dinner.  Your truly, Austin & Pete.

The G'kids getting into Polar Express.

Some of us burned calories in a different way.

And Maggie, Jen's Lab.  Her health had been going down hill for a while and she developed a large tumor (notice it on the right side near her tail), and zooming up to Feb 16, she was put down.  She is now in doggie-heaven with her sister & mentor, Reese, Jen's first baby, a choco lab.  :-(

We had visitor on our pier. We see them often scooping up fish from the river.  Sometimes they use the pier as their dinner table.

That about wraps up our time for this blog.  Above is a preview pic of our time in Northern Virginia at Jennifer's house & our hotel room & time in the pool.  I'll have many more pics of this fun time and celebrating Christmas again with our family.  Till then, Joe & Nancy from Bushnell, FL.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Solemn Ending to a Wonderful 2012

After our family reunion last August in Oregonia, OH, we spent another 8 weeks at my Sister Debbie's home there in Oregonia.  During that 8 weeks I visited my Mother many times at her nursing home.  I also had the pleasure of visiting with my Brother Greg in Cincinnati a few times.  Now it goes without saying that there were many family get-togethers during that 8 week period, but I want to highlight my Mother Shirley, and my Brother Greg.  On November 1 and December 1 respectively, they both passed from this life to be with the Lord.

I miss them both, and I think of them every day.  I will take their images with me into eternity.

My Aunt Norma (Mother's Sister) and Mother at Greg's funeral in Lebanon.

My Mother & Jason Carrier, Greg's only offspring, who lives in Lakeland, FL.  A fine young man.

My Parents, late '40s I'm told.

And my handsome younger Brother Greg, during his Army days.

During and after that 8-week period, we did manage to get some quality time in with our daughters and their children.  Apple-picking is always a perennial affair enjoyed by all.

And we always seem to get all the help we need to carry in the harvest!

That harvesting can take a lot out of you.  Time for a little ride and relaxation in a cow train.

Giddyup, whatever you are....

After supper back at the camper, time for a little lovin' around the campfire.

And the next day found us driving up on the Skyline Drive, and lunch at Skyland.  Of course some of us had to burn some of those calories playing on the rocks & leaves of autumn.

We never tire of the aesthetics of the Appalachians.

Yours truly taking in a tune being performed by a local folk singer.

A leisurely stroll on one of the trails close by Skyland.  Austin, Jennifer & her husband, Pete. 

Now, it's nighty-night time in the camper.  And that about wraps up this blog time as well.  I am doing this blog on February 19.  Obviously, I have been lazy and pre-occupied over the past 3 months.  I have lots to share and show over the next few blog entries as I get caught up.  Please excuse my tardiness in posting our life events as we prepare for our 2013 journey.  Till then, Joe & Nancy, the RVing Beach Bums, currently in Bushnell, FL