Christmas Day

Christmas Day Patt and I went to the Wheel House . We spent Christmas Eve in Wilmington, attending church at Grace United Methodist.  As is obvious, the days were very very pretty, quite unlike the rough weather of Christmas Eve with its hard rain and cold.  

 Beach erosion has cut into the sand dune in front of the house which barely peeks over the dune.  (This is very little changed from what it looked like this summer.

looking east.

near the end of the island there is serious erosion.   It looks as if the ocean has decided to make a new inlet and has taken aim at this particular part of the island and is working hard at it.

and this house is just about to lose its balance.

Further down near the end there are some dunes that are being cut into as well.  It will look different next time you are there, but it nearly always does.  By the way.  there are lots of houses under construction.  

Christmas time in Graham this year

Saturday at Janet's then at Kelly and Beth's we celebrated Christmas with our annual big family get together.  It was as expected a grand and wonderful occasion.  

In the photo below the excitement of the kids, from the big bald one on the left to the smaller ones on the floor is well captured by the camera.

Janet, the hostess of phase one of our party, about to open a gift.  Yes she finally got it open too.

Some of the crowd waiting for either Janet or one of the other slow openers to open their gift.

Baby Austin was practicing being held -  and he got really good at being held too.

Mark with his water golf ball retriever - and it was a gift that was much needed.

After the little kids left behind the party favor hats, we four were delighted to find them.  Don't know why they left them behind either.

 We even made a selfie

Kelly and Beth got matching hats in the "Auction Gift Exchange".  And that exchange was fun.  I mean what can replace the joy of seeing a young boy's face when he opens a gift of a pink my little pony?

or Jeff when he opens a foot vibrator goofy bear.  (by-the-way that one was traded for later).  Emily even lost that Christmas tree cookie jar.  Lucky couple!

See what I mean about Austin being held, Patt said his cheeks were soft too.

Even I pitched in with a little help.  Took directions too.  

Kelly, Beth and Janet did wonderful jobs of hosting and it was a grand evening with great gifts, lots of fun and good times had by all.  Glad to have been there.  Missed some folks, and you'all were missed but looking forward to next year already.

more play time and fight night at the Veneto

One of the things we have enjoyed on our trip here this time is having a daily visitor and guest for lunch.  We have played — a lot — and enjoyed ourselves greatly.  

The ball rolling back and forth has been a hit and Raleigh initiated it after the first day.  After he got the idea of it and figured out some control, he enjoyed watching me too.

and had pleasure in it himself.  I am not sure just what brought on this but it was funny at the time.

Our evening view, as is any other time of day view out our front window wall is amazing.  The more distant lights on the water on the horizon are boats waiting for entry to the Panama Canal and closer are fishing boats.

and last night was Amateur Fight Night or some title like that at the Veneto Hotel and Casino.  It was a big occasion.  Lots of photos were taken by lots of people.  Here Patt and I are with two of the professional UFC fighters that fight out of Stephen's gym, Elton and Umberto Brown.  Umberto is the one Stephen was in the corner with in Mexico City a couple of weeks ago.

Stephen at the entry door with one of the amateurs as he is about to be introduced.

I stepped into the fighters entry path to get this shot as they went towards the ring.  (other photos did not turn out as well)

Then I went back to our seats.  Way way back.  Notice the TVs through-out the room.  There was one right near out table so we could see what was happening.  Stephen's gym had three amateurs fighting and two won in short order with Jujitsu moves and the other, well he never saw it coming and I reckon the video will help him learn to duck and try Jujitsu first.  KO city.

Post fight celebratory group photo, (one of many interactions of groups)

Stephen with the youngest of the fighters and the kid's Dad,  — also the person closest in age to Patt and me in the crowd.  It was a generally a younger set.

promotion day and sick baby - nap time ? and night view

Yesterday was promotion day at the jujitsu school where Stephen studies.  (This is different from the gym/ jujitsu school where Stephen teaches sometimes).  Anyway, as the celebration was in Spanish, I may have missed a bit of the big doings but as I understood it— a "distinguished professor" from Costa Rica who was a  Brazilian and was some kinda of famous "old school master" was in town for the promotion day.  

He spoke at length.  Believe me on that. Then he handed out promotion belts, blue, then purple and each recipient made a speech about how much yada yada meant to them.  One person even teared up a bit.  Then the Brazilian Costa Rican made even more speech and presented Stephen with a brown belt.  Stephen then spoke a while and a while more.  Everyone clapped.  It was a big deal.  This was new to me and it appears as if this really was a big deal for all especially Stephen.  He was proud.  I was too.

Photos were taken and more.  It was a big day.   Then they all piled on the floor and did some jujitsu.

Earlier in the day Raleigh awoke from nap time with a fever.  He does look sick when he is sick.  Blue Bear, his blanket, his momma, and a movie were what was required.

Take one away and we have a very sick baby.  According to Jen, he has recovered and we plan to have him back over later this morning.

And from a recent Raleigh visit, and proving that I am not the only one Raleigh does not allow a nap. Here he is climbing up to deprive Patt of her brief rest. We normally get Raleigh from school, have lunch together, play, have a little snack then take him home for his nap.  During his snack time here Patt thought erroneously that she could catch a rest.

Close inspection to ensure that Patt is conversant.  

She was.

We did enjoy our selves while here and note the cars in his hands.  You would think they were just part of his body.

And I think I mentioned our night view.  We do like it.

and towards Casco.