Along the Way....

........first we stopped for gas....

........... which was less expensive than last year (about $3.06/Gal US).  At this point....our first night on the road....

...... our hotel still had their Christmas decorations on display, and I thought this one was worthy of a photograph.  When we headed out again the next mroning...

.... Squeegie had on his new sweatsuit (he got from Santa!) and Taffy was sporting a hand-knit sweater - so still somewhat bundled up, but not quite as much as when we left home.  Then we were on the road again.  On our second night on the road...

........ we stayed at the Day's Hotel and Conference Center in Flatwoods, WV.  We always try to stop there if the timing is right - it is very nice and one of my favourite things is this fellow who stands watch in the lobby.  He's fairly friendly with Poppa now because he has seen us each year for quite a while now.  Up close.....

........... he looks a little more daunting - but I think I see the hint of a smile on his face because he knows it's me taking the photo!  On our third night we arrived in Florida.....

....... with everyone looking forward to our stay in the warmer regions of North America!  And Squeegie was thrilled to.....

......... go to Dunkin' Donuts for coffee the next morning.  Incidentally we filled up the gas tank for $2.09 in Georgia, before we crossed the border into Florida.  In our area in Florida the gas prices are currently about $2.10/gal - which is more than a dollar/gallon less than last year!  On Dec. 30th we met David, Alison and Bob for a lunch/dinner at TGIFriday's.  We went in their car and regretfully I left my camera in our car - and had such a great, interesting visit at the villa - I forgot to take any pictures!  Rats!  However, moving forward, yesterday our high temperature was about 86F - great for the pool!  Taffy has been on the computer and discovered....

...... that it is chilly in Paris, France (where her on-line friend Bear now lives).  Bear has a lovely hand-knit sweater on!  If you would like to check out Bear's Blog and discover the treasures and sights of Paris - please visit him at: paris breakfasts

We are now settled comfortably at our winter residence (thank you David & Alison!)....

.... Taffy & Smoothie are watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse....while....

.... Squeegie and Crunchie loll about absorbing the warm weather.  Thank you to Auntie Colleen for the Kraft Bears - she gave them to me for Christmas.  Squeegie begged for them to come to Florida - and he agreed to leave Snout at home so that the little bears could come!)  Speaking of Auntie Colleen.....

.......... remember that puppy they got last year???  Please meet Augustus.  He now weighs almost 100 pounds and as you can see has matured greatly and looks quite regal - well except maybe for the snow on his chin - Gus you shouldn't be eating snow!  And - What? - you ask is Poppa doing........well....

........... he's cleaning of course!

And.....

....... Christmas Day at Munchie's house.....

........... was more exciting!  Here is Curtie opening up something(?) and here is..............

......... Munchie with his pillow pet.  Curtie's parcel was some.........

...... well......... something (?) ............. Munchie got a TV for his bedroom (but Mommy didn't send me a picture of that).........

.......... Curtie got a doll with a closet and clothes and other stuff too!  I think he was pleased (judging by the look on his face!)  So, the day after Christmas when Poppa had the car all loaded we took off and stopped in to see them.  We finally got to see.....

.......... Curtie in his giraffe pyjamas - yes - that's what that parcel was!  Doesn't he look adorable!?!  They opened the presents we had sent them and put the alligator/dinosaur (or whatever) pyjamas on that they found - and then they were getting ready to go to visit Auntie Melissa and Reese - and we were kind of tired from our trip, so .....

......... we kissed the boys good-bye.........

....... climbed into the car..........

............ waved good-bye to the alligators (Hee - see the green legs) (Oh yes - and Munchie has on his new hat and mittens - I did get them finished in time!)..........

............. they waved good-bye to us (Munchie expressed a desire to come with us - but school didn't allow for that)...........

.......... and up the road we went on the first leg of our three day journey to the warm sunny state of Florida!

Christmas

We spent a quiet Christmas Day at home - well - quiet, except for the sound of packing.  But before that there was some stuff to do.  I went....

......... to get my hair cut.  This is Donna - she works at the Atrium (where Grandma Grace and Aunt Peggy live).  She does such a great job and cuts my hair exactly the way I like it!  On Dec. 23rd we met....

........ Aunt Lynda and Uncle Ernie for breakfast and had a great gabfest while we ate.  Then....

...we had lunch with Auntie Cecile, Auntie Colleen and Uncle Mark.  When lunch  was ended we went to have a last visit with Grandma Grace and Aunt Peggy - and I left my camera in the car!  I'll make sure to get pictures as soon as we return home in the spring.  We grabbed a bite of supper and then we went out to see some of the Christmas lights around town....

........ this one was outstanding and picture doesn't really do it justice, but it was beautiful.  Then the packing began in earnest....

......... I gathered up some yarn for evening knitting in Florida.... I think there is enough.  Then...

......... upstairs for the travel bags.  Taffy changed her mind a few times about what she wanted to bring, but I finally got it done.  After that....

........... with Poppa's help (of course) we started gathering everything near the back door so Poppa could pack it into the car for our trip.  I spent the evening working diligently.....

......... on Munchie's hat and mittens, in an effort to get them done before we arrive at his house on Boxing Day!

Christmas Eve

Yes.... it is here!  The time has flown by recently.  Our little boys have been quite busy....

....... Munchie had a Christmas concert with his Grade 1 class.  He is in the center in the black Bat-Moose shirt.  Curtie....

... also had a Christmas concert with his Junior Kinderegarten class.  You can see him easily with the number 6 on his shirt.  According to my reporter, they were both adorable and sang gustily.  They also....

.......... attended a couple of Christmas parties.  Here is Curtie sitting on Santa's knee, telling Santa what is on his wish list and getting his picture taken.

And of course, his big brother, Munchie also got that opportunity.  Then, this weekend, they came....

........ to visit us!  While Curtie was busy playing with Poppa....

.......... Munchie was busy seeing who was tallest - himself or Pumpkin.  The final decision was that Munchie was taller!  He checked then to see..........

......... if he was taller than both Pumpkin and Hershey - yep!  You can see his head peeking over both of them in the center.  Meanwhile....

......... Curtie was hamming for the camera with Taffy.  As the day wore on....

...... Munchie and the two big bears got worn out and took a nap!  After getting into their pj's, Munchie wanted this picture taken....

.......... so you could all see a better shot of his Bat-Moose sweat-shirt.  Once again, the time flew and they left for home where they are anxiously awaiting Christmas Day, so .....

......... they could open presents!

Deck The Halls

Here it is - time to think about Christmas decorations and Christmas trees and so on.

At Munchie's house this meant carefully unpacking all the decorations.  Then....

.... Munchie climbed up on a chair to reach the high parts, while....

............ Curtie carefully chose which ornament to put on the tree next (I love the expression on his face in this photo)...

......... and handed it to his big brother, or chose his own spot closer to the bottom.  Doesn't the tree look pretty?  Mommy says the letters have been sent to Santa and the count-down is on!

Weather Warning!

While I was doing some chores a few days ago, I glanced out the window.....

............ and saw Poppa outside with his shovel.  Yes....we got even more snow.  Because of some recent health issues that Poppa had - Squeegie and Taffy were keeping an eye on him.  Earlier....

.......... he had the snow blower out - and you can see it was quite windy and chilly and....

........... there was quite a bit of snow.  For a while........

........ both Poppa and the chap across the road were out dealing with the snow.  Later....

......... there was just Poppa - blowing the edge of the road so that the mail person could get to the mailbox and so there would be less snow for the snow plow to fill in the end of the driveway.  The shovel at the edges was the last step and thankfully he was finished for a while.  Since then we've had a couple of milder days - and there is actually less snow outside right now.  We did brave the cold weather and...........

............ go for lunch with Auntie Cecile and Auntie Colleen for our regular Tuesday get-together.  Another day....

.......... Auntie Jean came out for a visit.  She brought her i-Pad with her and we spent a while together figuring out how to do the things she would like to do with it.  When I went into the room reserved for our little grandsons to do some dusting, I was somewhat alarmed when I looked at Curtis' bed.....

....... to find this rather large fellow sitting there.  After a brief conversation, he said his name is Hershey and he is planning on staying!  Not only that...

........... his brother, Pumpkin, is settled in on Munchie's bed!  Oh gracious - just what we needed - two more bears.........

........ especially as they have been known to sneak into our space and take over Poppa's chair!  It appears that Squeegie and Taffy don't mind at all!  I sat in my chair anyway and worked on....

.... Auntie Colleen's sweater.  The arms and body are now attached and....

........ I am currently working on the yoke.  I'm hoping to finish it up in the next week or so.  It has been a really challenging and fun project after so many socks and dishcloths!  The weather?  Well it is still really cold outside...........

............. the bears bundle up before they go out in the car......... and..........

.......... when we're at home, they snuggle under blankets.