Happy New Year - Welcome 2017

Happy New Year!

Well, we had a wonderful Christmas - with lots of family, food and fun! (and gifts!)

So we started out the Christmas season with our annual visit to

the Hotel Del Coronado

in San Diego (Coronado Island)

The hotel is always lit up with all kinds of lights

A BIG Christmas tree in the center foyer

and a fun shop filled with Christmas goodies

We ALWAYS get a new tree ornament there

but this year, we couldn't find one we liked

so...

tradition foiled this year! :(

They also have a fun ice rink around the back of the hotel

just steps from the sandy beach and ocean.

Lots of skaters everyday and especially at night.

We have joined them on occasion,

Not this year.

We had dinner on the patio and watched them instead (YUM!)

Next on the list was to make Christmas cookies for

Grandma and Grandpa's Annual Christmas Party.

Which, sadly,

was cancelled

due to poor mom's visit (and subsequent stay)

to the hospital

to treat a nasty bought with

Pneumonia!

but the cookies were still enjoyed by many!

This year, we decided to change our decorating regime.

Instead of putting lights around the trim of the house

we added a lighted wreath,

new lights at the doorway,

2 Christmas bough Wreaths on the front doors,

and of course,

Frosty!

Then there was the funny

Harry and David

episode at Grandma and Grandpa's house

So,

Mom ordered a wonderful fruit cake for Dad this year

from Harry and David

she ended up in the hospital,

and thus,

dad was also at the hospital

at her side

(such a wonderful husband)

And the delivery truck arrived leaving the delivery on their front porch,

Perfect location for the local Javelina's

(wild pigs)

But I get ahead of myself--

Nancy and dad arrived home one evening,

to find a flattened, soggy box

labelled Harry & David

and addressed to the Stoddard's

Didn't think much of it

(since the only one who new about the deliver was mom)

Next day, when the story was told to her

she realized what had happened!

The PIGS got to it -

But we were perplexed about the tin!

Knowing it came in a tin, we wondered what happened to it

Nancy contacted Harry & David

told them the sorted tale

and they immediately sent out a replacement!

meanwhile,

When G&G arrived home

and were out on a little walk around their new neighborhood

they saw a green and red tin, sitting on a power box,

at the end of a neighbors driveway.

Dad ventured over to the neighbor,

and was told that they had found the box, down the street

and figured it belonged to "someone"

so left it there in hopes the owner would claim it.

(See below)

The one on the left is the newly replaced one sent by H&D

(so nice of them)

The one on the right is the one the Javelina's TRIED to get into!

They were, however, unsuccessful!

But they did manage to put a lot of dents, scratches etc.

in the tin

But never got it open.

Bet they were MAD!

Could smell the wonderful cake inside - but never get to it!

ha ha

So

We spent Christmas Eve with

Walt & Naomi

having a delicious Turkey Dinner with all the trimmings

(sorry, no photograph! - we were busy eating!)

Then the 4 of us loaded into the car at 10:00pm

and headed to our annual Christmas Eve Service

at the St Phillips Episcopal Church

on River Road

They have a really good midnight mass service with lots of carol singing

and live mini orchestra

and a wonderful choir

We get to sing with the choir at times (carols)

and listen to them and/or the orchestra doing all sorts of

Christmas numbers, from the Messiah, and some of their own renditions.

It is a wonderful way to ring in Christmas Day.

It let out late this year, we didn't get out until 12:30am!

We were exhausted!

But not so exhausted as to not continue the traditions

Christmas morning found us up an at 'em

at 8:30am

Grandma and Grandpa

Sam and Randy

Walt and Naomi

Greg and Rozann

All sitting around the Christmas tree

opening stockings from Santa

An annual tradition! Such fun!

The 4 kids got these fun remote cars

that you control with your phones

And Greg was busy "mowing" our new lawn

(okay, now we use a blower! haha)

And reading good new books in his chair in the den

(no the BBQ isn't ours - Grandpa got it from Grandma!)

Walt and Naomi

headed over to their mom's in the afternoon,

Grandma and Grandpa

headed over to Nancy and Reid's house

for their traditional

Christmas afternoon with their family

Sam and Randy

stayed with us - and we had another delicious meal

roast beef with all the trimmings!

They spend Christmas eve at Randy's mom's house

each year

with Ana and Jose

opening gifts at midnight!

Another fun tradition!

later in the afternoon

After Randy and Sam headed home,

Greg and I trekked across the street

and visited with the Bullock's and all their fun family

wishing one and all a Merry Christmas!

Family time is wonderful

and we had lots of it with our

family members

from all over!

So nice that everyone can make time to spend

the season with all their loved ones!

Everyone makes it work!

What a great family we have!

And to those who were NOT with us

we know they were enjoying those loved ones

who could spend time with THEM!

and we loved the gifts and visits we had with them!

Thank you one and all!

So a belated Merry Christmas

and a

Happy New year

2017

to all

(oh, and Greg and I snuck away after Christmas and before New Years

to a NHL game in Phoenix! It was AWESOME!)