We got a few ideas in Thailand about how to repurpose things around our house to more acceptable uses.
Like the nicely potted dollarweed at the Tamarind Hotel in Chiang Mai:
And the freshly prepared mole crickets and grasshoppers, often found in our front yard at home, at the Chiang Mai Night Market:
In June we spent several days in the ancient Thai capital of Chiang Mai, in the northern mountains of Thailand. It was a very nice area, and much different than Bangkok. We stayed at the Tamarind Resort, right in the center of the old city inside the walls. We toured the many temples inside the walls, went up the mountain to the royal summer palace (Bhubing Palace) and visited several other sites in the mountains including mountain villages of the minority Hmong and Karen people.
We spent a preparation week in Japan in June, followed by a Conference in Bangkok, Thailand.
In May we visited Las Vegas for a Conference, dined at restaurants with famous guys’ names, viewed the Bellagio Fountains multiple times and hiked in the snow overlooking famous Area 51.
In 2015 we discovered more of the history of our beach town, first settled by Europeans in the 1760’s.
Here we are on the front page of the local newspaper looking like tourists:
2014 was a year of ups and downs — a year of passages. 
On the up side, Matt got married to Stephanie and we did some enjoyable travelling. John’s parents also finally moved out of their house and into assisted living. On the down side, John’s Mom passed away in September.
You can see more details in the posts below.
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.
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
In July and November we spent a total of 9 days in Atlanta. Most of our past exposure to Atlanta had been to the airport as well as downtown hotels and company conference rooms 20-30 years ago, creating a somewhat negative impression. We were very pleasantly surprised at recent changes made to the Midtown, Georgia Tech and Atlantic Station areas.
We even hit some of the top tourist destinations such as the World of Coca-Cola. 
The CNN Headquarters. 
The College Football Hall of Fame. 
And of course a spectacular power plant tour.
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 and Paula's Blog 