2019 was the milestone year that we both turned 70.  It doesn’t feel that long……

We are working hard to stay healthy and fit.

Girls’ Night Out at Norwood’s Treehouse

John’s Birthday

Paula’s Birthday

Celebrating on Bourbon Street in New Orleans

In 2017 we ventured to the frozen North for Christmas for the first time in about 30 years.  We found our cold weather gear deep in the closet.  Danielle joined us for the trip to visit John’s brother Bill and his wife Lee in Illinois.  They go to great lengths to decorate their house for Christmas.  This year we and they got to enjoy those decorations for a change.  John’s cousins Sara and Charlie and their spouses drove over from the Chicago area.  We even got some snow on Christmas Eve!

We had two rounds of Holiday festivities this year.  The first round was in Boston for Paula’s family’s annual Christmas Party.  And of course Grammy was the center of attention.

The second round was in Winter Springs.  Not surprisingly, Ben was the center of attention.

The Holiday Season is still in full swing as we write this, but there have already been some encounters with Santa……

Jane and Santa

We visited DC twice in 2015 to see Matt and Stephanie as well as Sandy, Sara, Garth, Hannah and Hobbs.  We were there in March and again for Thanksgiving.  Paula enjoyed not being in charge for a change.

In November, Leon had been learning about Washington DC in First Grade, so the theme was to learn about the three branches of government and play soccer in front of each.

Leon, Julian and the Legislative Branch

Julian being patient

Stephen, Leon and Julian with Washington Monument

Leon with the Judicial Branch

Julian at the Air and Space Museum

Leon with the National Christmas Tree

Leon at Union Station

Marathon Connect-Four games

Leon at the Air and Space Museum

Julian at the Washington Monument

Stephen, Leon and Julian with the Executive Branch

They liked the food trucks

Mat and Stephanie making a feast

They didn’t understand why they couldn’t gather the coins

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.

On August 2, 2014 our son Matt got married to Stephanie in Providence, Rhode Island.  The wedding was performed by Aunt Sandy. 

It was also a great opportunity for family and friends to gather

Matt’s Army buddies.
Our family and the Grandmothers of the Groom.

Matt and Danielle, our twins.

Grammy and her girls.   Everybody.  Us and our kids.