December 15, 2008

Hi Everyone, I am sitting here at my computer, in Live Oak, Florida, trying to mentally sort out the many happenings that have occurred during 2008. For some reason, it is not an easy task. Oh this lazy memory of mine, it just doesn't want to concentrate anymore. I think I would have a tendency to believe NOTHING at all happened in 2008, if it weren't for Youtube. Thank goodness, we took pictures and videos and I uploaded them to Youtube.com.  What the heck did people do with their lackadaisical memory in days gone by?

In March, Frank and I flew to Washington DC to visit with Jim. We really had a good time sightseeing, DC. It sure seemed to us, one heck of a town, especially since Frank and I, have lived rural for 12 years. (Jim and Frank on left.)

"How Ya Gonna Keep 'Em Down On The Farm After, They've Seen Paree" comes to mind.

Jim and his girlfriend Cassia took us everywhere. We really liked the FDR exhibit. It was haunting."They (who) seek to establish systems of government based on the regimentation of all human beings by a handful of individual rulers call this a new [world] order. It is not new and it is not order"FDR
This FDR quote was written on the wall of the exhibit (Picture) to your right.

This trip was the first time we saw the Cherry Blossoms of DC. If you have not traveled to DC during the blossom dates in March or April, I would definitely recommend it. It's beautiful!

When we returned to Florida, our son John and his wife were visiting and Roisin had a big pan of Shepherd's Pie awaiting us. WHAT A GREAT, THOUGHTFUL SURPRISE!

In July we traveled to South Florida and met Nancy, Frank's sister, at a motel on the beach. She had flown in from Tennessee and we went bycar to meet up for a few days of Hollywood, Florida fun. John and Roisin, still live and work down there, so we were able to see them perform (pic on left) their weekly gig at THE FIELD Restaurant and Pub. (John and Aunt Nancy pic on right.) Needless to say,

WE 3 HAD A BALL!

In June Jim, had traveled to Paraguay for work. He stopped off for a little R and R at the Iguazu falls of Brazil... Since Cassia is from Brazil she was a bit sad that she couldn't accompany him on his first trip to Brazil. I'm sure there will be another time for them to go. But this year they used some of their vacation time to visit us during Thanksgiving, which of course made our Thanksgiving meal absolutely terrific.

Before they drove to our house Cassia and Jim, took a side trip to Savannah Georgia and brought back many picture of this quaint old place... You guessed it, I put them on Youtube.

Jesse turned 8 in November, I can't believe he is growing so rapidly. We need to enjoy every moment before he becomes... OH NO, a teenager and has little time for us. So far, he still loves our company, which makes Frank and I

VERY HAPPY CAMPERS.

Jamie, will be 14 in February and is as cute and sassy as ever. She has a new look now, I can hardly recognize her. She went from the look on the left to the look on the right in less than three years... Just can't keep up with those teenagers, they can sure make Grandpop and Mema feel...
OLD & TIRED!
~~~~~~~~~~
AS OUR CHRISTMAS CARD on the left, STATES, HOPE YOU GET EVERYTHING YOU WANT ON CHRISTMAS. HAPPY HOLIDAYS LOVE FROM FRANK AND CAROLYN
AND ALL OF US HERE IN LIVE OAK FLORIDA
(picture of teenage girl, is a Jamie cartoon original)

PS: If you have a computer with DSL, please feel free to come and visit our family youtube site at:http://www.youtube.com/user/familywardie1
Or you can view this Christmas letter on line (with music) at http://www.thethinkingblue.com/pics/xmas2008online.html or http://www.thethinkingblue.com/pics/xmas2008.html

Christmas Light Festival
Stephen Foster State Park
December 2008