We had lots of fun happenings during the 2014-2015 Holiday Season.  Our flamingo is decked out for a festive time at the Beach.  We viewed the New Smyrna Beach Annual Christmas Boat Parade on December 13 with Lindy and Linda. It was amazing how much effort went into the various entries.
 

We travelled to Washington DC for Christmas, the first time in 30 years that we had not done Christmas in Orlando (with Paula cooking, etc.).  We had a great time doing touristy things and visiting with family in the DC area.  Here we are at the National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse at the “Zero Mile Marker” of the national highways.

And here we are with Danielle in the lobby of our hotel, the Willard Intercontinental, where the term “lobbying” was coined during Ulysses Grants’ presidency.
This is the spectacular view we had from our room at the Willard, of the Washington Monument and the Jefferson Memorial.  A corner of the White House was visible out of another window.
We did a “selfie” in front of the White House.
And we visited the National Botanical Garden for their annual Christmas display.
We spent lots of time with family at Matt and Stephanie’s place and at Sara and Garth’s place.  Garth’s parents Graham and Sue were there, as was Garth’s brother Derek and Derek’s kids Walker and Callie.  Here are some pictures of the Kessingers in attendance, starting with Matt and Stephanie at work in their kitchen preparing the Christmas Eve feast.
Sandy, Matt and Stephanie puzzling.
Sara, Garth and Princess Hanna.
Stephanie and Hanna reading.
Sandy and Hobbs sliding.
Sandy, Matt, Danielle and Stephanie playing Bananagrams.
Paula and Hobbs.
Garth and Hannah.
We had a great time.  Even the weather wasn’t too bad, but when we got back home it was 30 degrees warmer in Orlando.