Rose and Bob

Sunday, December 23, 2012

Florida Part Deux and Early Christmas

We're home in SC after a fun week in Florida. Grandma Alice got a few lovely, warm days at the timeshare with us before flying back for Uncle Chuck's funeral. She missed the arrival of the Masons and their exciting visit to Disney World's Magic Kingdom. We all enjoyed the pool on a great warm, 80 deg and sunny day with a comforting breeze. Then the Masons did the Magic Kingdom in two shifts letting the little girls, and Mom and Dad, relax between visits.

After being back home in SC for a day of rest we spent the day visiting the Masons after they celebrated an early visit from Santa before they leave for Michigan and a short visit with the Denjas and several days with Aaron's family.

The three of us pose on Mom's last day with us in Florida

Downtown Disney...our first venture into the magical world but not yet in the park.

The candy shop temptress does it like she did to Snow White

We're going to Disney World tomorrow

One of many Lego sculptures in Downtown Disney

Good thing the little ones were with Bob. He might have acted nasty!

Just a taste of the rides to come

Of course there's a Harley Davidson presence...it's all about merchandising!

"We're going to Disney World and the Magic Kingdom!"

"It's Snow White, Daddy!" Get ready for a day full of princesses and princes.

Brave has the bow experience

Princess Merida!

Who is this?

Princess Ariel!

"The princesses signed my book Mama!"

Cheese!!!

Up close and personal with Belle from The Beauty and the Beast

Aaron got to play a part in the play

Gotta see Mickey!

A cornucopia of princes and princesses

Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen

Princess Jasmine and Alladin spent quite a bit of time with the girls. They were the last in line and the benefit was more time with the characters.

The carousel was great!

"We got Minnie Mouse ears!"

The end of the second shift visiting the Magic Kingdom. It was a great day!

Back home in Lexington and checking out some of Santa's gifts.

It was a chilly day but still good for a tea party.

Who needs to see where they're driving?

The Viper hits the street with Daddy on guard

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Florida Visit Part One

Grandma Alice has been with us since Dec 2 in South Carolina. For her last full week down south we traveled to Kissimmee FL to a timeshare to get her some more warmth and sun. We arrived Saturday and expected her to stay the entire week. Sadly, Bob's uncle Chuck passed away in Michigan. Grandma really wanted to be there for the visitation and funeral. We were able to book a flight to Chicago on Monday and brother Dennis picked her up there and drove her to Sturgis. A very sad reason to have to leave early. We hoped to take her to visit good friends Pat and Katie Coakley in The Villages. Grandma would have loved to see the place. Rose and Bob made the trip and spent a very pleasant day with Pat and Katie.

Our hearts are saddened for Uncle Chuck's family. He was a neat guy with a sensational sense of humor and a very lively wit.

The Denja family sent Grandma this beautiful bouquet of flowers in thanks for their Christmas gift.

We arrived at the Polynesian Isles Resort and Grandma said to take a picture of the nicely staged dining table in our unit.

We had the ground floor unit with the pool opposite.

Grandma enjoyed the warm 80 degrees in the shade

Rose and Bob visited this beautiful church nearby. The Basilica of Mary Queen of the Universe is about 20 years old with a modern look and lots of crystal. The grounds were quite impressive, too.

An arch just inside the doors of the church.

A view of the pond looking back towards our unit to the left with the pool umbrellas showing.

On our visit to The Villages to see the Coakleys we traveled to the far south development of the complex. The new town square formed to serve this latest phase is called Brownwood. It is named after the developer's original business back in Michigan near Torch Lake. Brownwood Farms still exists there today. This new phase is an all western style that does not exactly fit the Brownwood in Michigan but nevertheless is another well done addition. Bronze cattle adorn the south entrance.

A view of the opposite side of the entrance. Note the simulated cattle guard in the road.

We arrived at the Coakleys to find a bed in their garage. Must be they were expecting us to stay!

Friday, December 14, 2012

Avery Birthday, Kendall Dance, Pasties and Chillin'

December 9 we celebrated Avery's second birthday...and an early Christmas for both the girls. Later in the week we attended a dance class to watch Kendall. We made pasties as a special treat for Grandma Alice. The warm South Carolina sun also provided some nice relaxation outside.

Avery enjoys her birthday cupcake.

We set a pretty fancy table in the garage!

"Yay! I'm gonna drive a car!"

Dinner out before Kendall's dance class

"Who, me?"

Strike a pose.

Pasties

Grandma chillin' with coat and fireplace going.

Bob chillin' in the garage and soaking the sun

Sunday, December 9, 2012

End of November and December Birthday

Greetings and salutations of the season! Time for another post. December 1 Bob flew to Chicago, caught a ride with brother Dennis to Sturgis and we wisked Grandma Alice back to Chicago for a plane ride with Bob down to South Carolina for three weeks. We did a lot of relaxing, celebrated Avery's birthday and an early Christmas with the Masons since we won't be together for Christmas.

The end of November we did a little babysitting for Kendall and Avery and did the traditional Christmas sugar cookies. Here are some photos that capture the times.

Avery likes her special seat.

Assembling the Dodge Viper for the Mason kids' Christmas and birthday gift. Some time ago we got the Denja kids a Chevy Corvette. Who says we don't treat our grandkids to the best?