We had lots of opportunities to be with our grandchildren, Leon and Julian, who are Stephen Tanja’s sons.

Nana reading

Leon at LegoLand

Julian molding polypropylene

Leon and Julian potterymaking

Leon and Lego figure

Leon and Julian crafting racers

With Papa at JB’s Fishcamp

Harvesting strawberries at Pappie’s Patch

Pajama party at LegoLand Hotel

Swinging at Bethune Park

We continue to have great fun spending time with our grandchildren, Leon and Julian.Gardening with Julian.
Leon and Julian reading stories with Nana. Feeding goats at the Oviedo Farmers’ Market.  Building a project with their Dad, Stephen.  Leon playing on the Beach with Papa. 

Leon making masks with Nana and Papa.Leon stranded on a desert island in Mosquito Lagoon during his first time kayaking alone.Leon and Julian eating cookies on St. Niklaus Day

John’s mother, Mary Ellen, passed away on September 16, 2014.  She seemed to have been doing very well in her new environment at Atria Senior Living, and we all thought she was blossoming with the physical activity and social activities she had not had for a number of years taking care of Kess.  She had a serious stroke on September 9.  We were on a ship between the Greek island of Rhodes and Turkey at the time and it took us two days to get back to Orlando.  Fortunately we got back in time that she still recognized us.

Family gathered for her memorial service.

Grandchildren and great-grandchildren with Grandpa.Brother Herb, Nieces Sara and Kathy, Daughter-in-law Lee.
Rick, Sara, Lee and Bill
Descendants in the game room.

John’s little brother Bill retired in May after 42 years as a music teacher and band director.  We travelled to the Quad Cities of Illinois/Iowa on the Mississippi River for his final band concert and retirement party.  The outpouring of respect from generations of students and parents was heart-warming and a tremendous tribute to the impact he had over the many years.

Leon and Julian visited us at the Beach this Summer and we did lots of fun things.

We identified shells we found on the Beach.

We made a mess in the living room.

We flew a kite.

We went on a hike with our backpacks.

We climbed to the top of Turtlemound, the highest point on the Eastern Seaboard.

We played Angry Birds on I-Pads and I-Phones.

We hunted for dinosaurs at Ponce Inlet.

On May 21st we got bad news.  Paula’s sister Mary passed away suddenly.
We will miss Mary.
Our prayers are with Mary, her husband Jackie and their family.