I am tempted to rename this blog "The Occasional Blogger" as life has been so busy lately that I have been neglectful. And I still have an island I never posted (tba). Oh well, such is life and 'tis the season.
We kicked the holidays off with our family Thanksgiving sans Rob. He has a new job and a new place to live and has been busy settling into both. He had an opportunity to work on Thanksgiving Day at his new job bar tending at a lovely restaurant and bar on St. Pete Beach. TG is big tips time and, while we missed him we understood.
On Thanksgiving, the Grands decorate their Christmas tree at our house. Landon then spent the night with us as it was his turn. We had our dear friends, Bill and Jo as well as the Grands and Chris and Kristen.
I am not sure who told the Grands that opening their mouths wide when Nana gets out the camera is attractive but oh well. This provides me with great "black mail" fodder when they are older.
Jo and I co-hosted Book Club this past Thursday and last night was our town's annual holiday, Snow Place Like Tarpon Springs. The kids enjoyed playing in the "snow" and we had our annual "snow ball" fight in the snow area. Chris and I took the Grands on the horse pulled trolley ride that we missed last year and, as we were heading back, all the lighted palms on the Trail came on...so beautiful.
While the Grands and their parents walked down to the Bayou to see Santa and the characters from Frozen, we tried without luck to find a parking spot to join them. That was just too much of a hike for Papa. We then headed to meet up with friends down on the Anclote River for the lighted boat parade.
The first Christmas we spent in Tarpon Springs, E and headed to Spring Bayou for the parade. We took our wine, chairs and blankets to keep warm as it was a cool night. That was 8 years ago and the price of fuel had sky rocketed. There were five boats in that parade and four were lit. The last boat had Santa who landed and handed out candy canes. Times have changed and this year's parade was amazing.
It was magical and wonderful. Thanks boat owners who participated...you did a fantastic job as did the coordinators of the Snow Place like Tarpon Springs. Special thanks to Tarpon Tavern whose staff made it so easy for our family to meet there at the start of our adventure.
Tonight is our annual holiday party and, after much thought, have decided to make this our last.
Happiest of holidays to all and remember, people who don't believe in Santa, get underwear for Christmas.
