Decking the Halls with...

things we are loving this week.

Finally a tree with ornaments, not just lights!


Finding reasonably priced airline tickets for a young lady's
first solo trip to Dallas for New Years




A young boy who still enjoys Cookies with Santa and making reindeer food .


Scoring a good gift at a Yankee Gift Exchange. Even better for taking the best gift to the exchange, it was passed around at least four times.






Making the best out of our weather, who says we can't have a White Christmas even though we live in Florida?


Discovering new holiday ales.

Finding the "silver lining" in the extra postage needed for this year's Christmas cards. Not many families get to have a dolphin on their stamp.

Stay tuned, more holiday loves to come.

Lighting Up Our Holidays

The house is beginning to look a little more festive.



Nothing tastes more like the holidays than gingerbread men. Thanks Aunt Deborah, you are so creative!



We have been busy stringing lights.





But we took a break last night and headed downtown for the annual 5th Ave Christmas parade. Looks like Santa is lighting up his holidays.



How are you going to light up yours?

A Special Service

Over 75 of us gathered in the late afternoon in small catholic church for a memorial mass honoring my late maternal grandmother, Therese Kratzer Griffin.



Darin made us very proud at his first public performance. He played an "On Eagles Wings" which has become our family song since being played at our wedding, Keaton's memorial service, Mackenzie's confirmation and Mason's baptism (in this exact church). He also accompanied my cousin Amanda as she performed her own song.

Other than the priest and the deacon, all participants in the mass were family members. My aunt and uncle were lectors, my parents carried the gifts and my nephew Tanner was the alter server.

Below, Darin and cousin Kayla (who played Amazing Grace on the flute) arrived early to rehearse.



The service was followed by a reception in the church hall. What a wonderful tribute to my grandmother!



We miss you, G.G.

Home of the Purple Hurricanes

The Friday after Thanksgiving the entire clan headed to Fitzgerald, Georgia. Fitzgerald with a population of less than 9,000 was created in 1895 as a community for Civil War veterans.



Fitzgerald is a small town where chickens run wild through the streets and parks. The Red Junglefowl has become the city's controversial mascot.



When I visit Fitzgerald I get to visit part of my childhood. Vacations that were spent at my grandparents house.



Meals that were consumed at my grandfather's restaurant, The Side Door (which is now an auto parts store).



Driving by the old Elks lodge which was the site of my parents' wedding reception over 48 years ago. The building is still used today for weekly bingo games.



No visit to Fitzgerald would be complete without visiting Keaton's grave at the old cemetery. Numerous headstones in the cemetery date back to the civil war.



Years ago when we took Mason to visit Keaton's headstone we showed him how to etch Keaton's name on a sheet of paper using a crayon. Mason had not forgotten and begged for a sheet of paper and a pencil while we were at the cemetery.



Next post, a special service in a small town church.

Gobbling it Up

This Thanksgiving was all about "gobbling it up" and I don't just mean the food. Although, there was unbelievable smoked turkey from cousin Dallas ...



... and delicious treats from a small town bakery.



But there were other things to "gobble up" like crisp air and fall colors ...



... cousins who enjoyed meals and long conversations



... babies that wanted to be held



... outdoor chores that turned into games



... lazy evenings



... and beautiful sunsets.



What would normally look like this ...



... became home to over 50 relatives who gathered for a day of thanks.



Next post, the entire clan heads to Fitzgerald, Georgia.

Fall Break

For the first time ever the kids and I are enjoying a Fall Break. We have an entire week without school so we are off on big adventures. Have a Happy Thanksgiving and please check back with us in a week.

Wildlife Gone Wild

A friend posted the following picture on Facebook. Her house is less than two miles from our new home. This same bear has been spotted on the campus of Mackenzie's middle school.



I have posted this photo before and it gives you a good look at the preserve behind our house.



This shows our preserve from the other side and as you see it backs up to a private golf course.





Guess what is living in our preserve and decided to take a stroll along our backyard into the neighbor's yard? No, not a bear, a Florida panther! Our neighbor didn't get a picture of it but she has proof since it rubbed some of the paint off the corner of her house.

On a different note, Mason's first game of the playoffs ended with a "nail-biter". We were ahead 8 to 6 with 10 seconds and the opposing team attempted a field goal on the 4th down. Luckily, they were unsuccessful. Mason's season ends this Saturday with a final game and family picnic.