Christmas Shenanigans

Went to a warehouse club store where Anna found an unsold Darth Vader talking robot.

Came home to find Anna's last Christmas present (a tee shirt she bought for herself!).

Christmas Stuff

We spent a quiet Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with Oma and Opa.  Anna cooked non-traditional fare - since the four of us are not traditional.  We Skyped with the children/grandchildren/great-grandchildren and opened many cards and presents.  One of Anna's post-holiday favorites, thanks to son Chris, was using a Lowe's gift card to get a new power drill.

Basketball Game at NC State

Our friend Alvin got floor seats at the PNC Arena for the basketball game between North Carolina State University and High Point University.  It was supposed to be an easy win for NCSU but the game was tied up until 5 seconds before the end of the second half.

The ending was quite spectacular.

To watch the end of the game, see the two minute video (if you watch the end in stop motion you can see Anna and me):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDkp6cDnpDk

Upgrades at the house in Durham

Anna had some items on her "down the road list" for quite a while.  We have now crossed them off the list: granite counter tops and new backsplash tile in the kitchen; crown molding in the master bedroom and a second Natori bed set.

Short kitchen video: https://youtu.be/pYFCHlV4IMc

Short video of master bedroom bedset: https://youtu.be/t1EebGbD7fs

Visit to Stowe, Vermont

Anna and I flew to Stowe to celebrate the December birthdays of Liz and Sean. The weather was unusually sunny and warm for this time of year.  We made a family adventure out of getting a Christmas tree and decorating the house for the holidays.

Of course, we couldn't visit without trying the mountain.  The consensus was that the sunny weather made it feel like spring skiing.

The four of us rounded off the visit with a dinner (featuring ossobuco!) at Lesley and Richard's.

With Chris - At The Beach House

Chris came to our beach house in Nags Head for the first time in many years.  We walked the beach and took some photos.  It was warm and sunny, and the day after Thanksgiving many people were on the fishing pier eating (and drinking!) lunch.

On Saturday we drove to Corolla and took a tour in a Hummer to see the wild horses.  They were brought from Spain in the 1500's.

Thanksgiving Feast

Anna baked three pies.  Oh, she also made a turkey.  Rebecca and Dave brought baby Hannah - and sweet potatoes and marshmallows.  Oma and Opa brought Prosecco and ate heartily.  And Chris brought cookies from Denver.  Myron did the dishes (his skill set).

Gift from Maggie & Jeff

We used a gift sent by Maggie & Jeff, a visit to a prize-winning winery in Willow Spring, NC.
Lynne and Jim came with us on this sunny, 60 degree F. day.  We sampled 8(!) wines accompanied by a lovely plate of treats to stimulate our palate.  We drove home - feelin' just fine!!

Making Applesauce

Okay, we finally got around to making applesauce from the apples we picked at the orchard.  We utilized the "smart" technique to peel the apples.  What a team!

https://youtu.be/64aGY9e4chY

Autumn Apple Picking

Lynne and Jim took us to Siler City, NC for the last weekend of apple picking.  There were also lots of pumpkins and gourds available. Homemade applesauce is definitely in our future.

Flora - October 9, 2015

Blooming at our Durham house in October: hibiscus, bougainvillea, and plumeria (Anna’s favorite Hawaiian flower).

Hannah & Oma

Our next-door neighbors, Rebecca and Dave came by with 2 1/2 week old Hannah while Oma and Opa were visiting.  Oma was delighted!

A New Family Car

Anna posing with our new Honda CRV EX.

Labor Day Weekend At The Beach House

Jim and Lynne joined us in Nags Head, NC for the 3-day weekend.  The water temperature was 80 degrees F. and the air temperature was 85.  We drank coffee and watched the sunrise, sat on the beach and frolicked in the waves, and then did some work.  Our new deck had to be stained.  This type of work requires good friends!