A Journal, with Pictures

Our friends the Yanofskys sent us a card with the “Just Relax” advice, which was so appropriate for the Christmas holiday.

The Montgomerys arrived the Thursday before Christmas from Fort Lauderdale. Friday was spent doing the final preparation and Alexandra visited Santa Claus.

Saturday the Prados otherwise known as the traveling circus arrived. Heidi drove and Gary came over on his boat. The Montgomerys and Prados enjoyed a boat ride which included a up close dolphin encounter.

Heidi helped Jennifer with the annual ginger bread house project. Jennifer then captured some images of her helpers.

Grandma prepared Christmas Eve dinner and then the children made reindeer food and put out cookies and milk for Santa. This year it was decided that the two traveling families would stay at a Villa in near by Shipyard Plantation so the children would all have a real bed and a chance to sleep. Everyone left with great anticipation that Saint Nick would soon be here.

Everyone arrived at Grandma and Grandpa’s house at 8:30 Christmas morning filled with excitement. It was apparent that Santa had stopped and left lots of gifts during the night. What then ensued could best be described as a childrens gift frenzy. Packages were ripped open, paper was flying, gifts of clothes were quickly tossed aside with everything accompanied by much screaming. As I watched I could only think is this the true meaning of Christmas? Once the children’s gifts were opened, they began to play with and examine what Santa had brought them, while the parents and grand parents exchanged gifts.

 

Grandma then prepared brunch for us all before everyone started to either play with or set up their gifts.

Grandma then prepared Christmas Dinner, while the playing and entertainment continued at a high level. There was time for a few more Christmas pictures when the children were ready for dinner, then we all enjoyed our Christmas feast.

After dinner more playing and family time then the children got into their Christmas PJ’s for one last photo and they were off to their Villa’s. Grandma and Grandpa relaxed and enjoyed desert and the sound of silence alone, then went to bed exhausted from a very active day.

Monday everyone played and enjoyed family. Gil and Brenn went to the airport Grandson learned about Grandpa’s airplane. They had lunch and went to a movie. The rest of the family had lunch and went to The Sand Box a children’s activity center. Pizza for dinner and of course lots of time on the new computers and playing with other toys. Tuesday the Prados left early and Wednesday the Montgomerys headed back for Florida. It was a great Christmas family holiday.

The Prado’s celebrated Thanksgiving with Gary’s family so Joyce and I flew from Hilton Head to Fort Lauderdale on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. Except for head winds, it was a great flying day and we arrived by noon. We met Jennifer for lunch and picked Alexandra up from school. Mike came home form his office and we enjoyed grilled steaks in perfect Florida weather.

Wednesday was a relaxed day of shopping, preparation for tomorrows feast and more family time. We got to know the newest member of the family, Max, Alexandra’s new black kitten. Max is a piece of work, constantly at play.

We went out to the Weston Bone fish restaurant, which was packed, and had a very nice dinner.

Thursday, Thanksgiving day, the serious cooking got started. Alexandra showed off her skills with her Wi, beating everyone at bowling, tennis and hitting a few home runs. Thank goodness she has gotten tired of golf, since I don’t need to be defeated by a 7 year old. We watched football while the cooking continued and then enjoyed a great Thanksgiving feast. It was a perfect day, accept that evening our beloved 49ers took it on the chin from the Ravens.

Friday we visited the Everglades and Saturday we flew back to Hilton Head. Our flight was great, with a tail wind this time, so we got back in a little over two hours. We had lunch with our friends the Turrisi’s who had spent Thanksgiving on the Island. It was a great Thanksgiving week.

Friday after Thanksgiving Jennifer and Mike organized a trip to the Everglades. We drove to the Shark Valley entrance to the Everglades National Park and had reservations on the guided tram out into the park.

Jose was our guide, who educated us on the flora and fona of the Everglades. We observed creatures and learned how this giant river works. The tram proceeded out to a observation tower that gave us a good view of the vast expanses of this unique place. Alexandra soaked it all in and that evening was spouting facts, including the fact that alligators have 80 teeth. It was a fun and interesting day.

On November fifth, Joyce and I traveled to Savannah to watch Brenn Prado play in the last game of the season. Brenn played offense and defense and was in the mix. The Pirates came from behind to win.

Taking after her mother Alexandra finished her horse show season with a strong performance.

The week after we returned to Dayton, Jennifer and Alexandra flew to Dayton for a five day visit. They arrived for lunch on Tuesday and Alexandra was ready for a trip in the golf cart to the Moraine Pool, which has a diving board. After a couple of hours, she had learned to dive and we stopped at the NCR pool on the way home and she spent another hour this time leaning to do a flip off the board.

Dinner at home and the visitors were ready for bed after getting up at 4:30 AM to catch their flight. Next day was shopping and more pool time at Moraine (our pool was being opened), then dinner at Moraine Country Club.

The next day we all went to Kings Island in Cincinnati. Alexandra went on just about every ride she was big enough to ride. The scarier, the better. She rode the scariest ride three times and several multiple times, nonstop except for lunch. Finally, she had worn out Grand Ma and Grand Pa , so we headed back home.

When we got home from Kings Island the pool was open so we cooled off and Alexandra burned up a little more energy.

Friday was more shopping and pool time ending with one of Alexandra’s favorite dinners, bar-b-qued spare ribs. Saturday was a movie, then more time in the pool before catching a evening flight back to Fort Lauderdale, that due to delays didn’t get in until close to 2:00 AM. Everyone was tired, but it was a great visit.

Brenn came to visit Grand Ma and Grand Pa at the Chechessee Cottage around noon the Friday before Easter. We started with a hot dog for lunch, then went off to the Nature Center on Spring Island, played catch, played on the swings,then returned to Chechessee . Grand Ma then took Brenn for a long walk after which Grand Pa took him to the driving range and he hit lots and lots of golf balls. It was Brenn’s favorite for dinner, ribs, a little reading (Brenn’s getting really good) then to bed. Everyone slept well. Saturday after breakfast it was back to Spring Island for crafts and dyeing Easter eggs, some more baseball, then into the pool, lunch, playing football catch in the pool, then back to Chechessee for another walk and then hitting lots more golf balls. Pizza then to bed.

Sunday the rest of the Prado family came to Chechessee and we were off to Spring Island for Easter festivities. The Easter Bunny arrived, there was a Easter egg hunt, more playing on the swings, and tree house, another visit to the Nature Center, then a visit to the stables to pet the horses, a tour around the island then Easter Brunch. Easter baskets back at the Chechessee Cottage, then Grand Ma and Grand Pa returned to Hilton Head, relaxed and watched the exciting finish to the Heritage tournament played on the island. A very full and fun weekend, particularly spending quality time with Brenn who was great to be with.

Alexandra, age 6, is following is her Mother and Aunt’s hoof steps?

On our recent trip to Florida we visited the Miami Childrens Museum and Alexandra took a trip on the slide.

Hiedi made a special 101 Dalmations costume to mark Brenns 101st day a Calvary Academy.

We attended Brenns basketball practice, which turned out to be a family affair.

They are growing up fast!