Christmas......

Our Christmas photo 2016.
George, Thomas,Michele, Paige,Mitchell,Alli,Ethan,Karen,Steve,Kris,Jeff, missing Andrew who was in Florida.  Cutter managed to literally butt in too!

We had a warm, family day enjoying each other's company and good food with lots of cookies. Steve brought an Xbox game that everyone could play together on the big screen.  Then we tried another new one called Linkee and had a lot of laughs with Mitch as mc.

Today we drive to Steve's to visit a bit more then on South once the sleet goes through Monday.

We girls enjoy talking about  Paige and Thomas's wedding plans and Ali's  graduation party. Alli is using Dr. Seuss's "Oh the places you'll go" as a theme which is fun to work in to it all.

This will be a busy summer for the family as Jeff is up for re-election too.

Christmas....

After a nice flight we are here at the lake for family gathering. Kris will be hosting this year with a bit of help from me. She is planning everyone's favorites and cooking up a storm. A snowfall has made the scene pretty for now and worth the cold temps.

The house feels more like a cottage these days as more time is spent away. It is still "home" ,though, to us.

My Christmas wish is for peace on this earth of ours. I cannot understand the cruelty in the world. For now I count my blessings and try to be worthy.

At sea again....

 George on the Lido Deck with my Fire..I shared so he could play Solitaire

On Dominique but not our ship

 

So off we went for a 10 day cruise to the Southern Caribbean with the Guitars..both Nick and Mary and Jim and Marsha made us honorary members of the family as we celebrated Thanksgiving aboard with them.  Their sister, Sharon, and husband Jeff surprised us all  on Aruba when they walked up the beach to meet us for the day.  What fun!!

 

Because we had been on all the islands before, the trip was relaxing with mostly beach time and just enjoying the ship.  The Royal Princess was huge, 3500 passengers, but didn't feel like it at all, a surprise to us.  Our veranda stateroom was "efficient" but sufficient as well, though we decided if taking a longer voyage we would opt for a bit larger space.  Now at home everything feels HUGE!!! 

 

We had a lot of laughs throughout the trip but started out with a big one...Nick forgot to bring his swimsuits.  After 50 some cruises, no less!!  Luckily George had spares to loan until he could find one in Aruba.  That's one for the books though and a story to add to the Guitar repertoire.

 

Back home now and we are getting into the holiday spirit starting with a boat parade party this weekend.  Can't wait to see the family again and celebrate with them.