Back to Florida

After a wonderful family filled Christmas spent with both my granddaughters, Katerine age 4 years and Penelope, age 4 weeks, I left behind my accumulated wool clothes and as in previous years, co-piloted my friend Ginny in the drive south.  This year with unseasonably mild weather we took the shorter route through Chattanooga.  Arriving mid afternoon on the 31st, my 70th, we were treated to dinner at one neighbors and a party at anothers complete with a cake that featured a photo of me on a bike trip.

Me with the "Grands"

Katherine in her special Christmas dress enjoys the trampoline with Uncle Denni

Enzo who I visited in Ithaca in July is now quite the "little man"

My time in Chicago showed me again how convenient the city is as I commuted daily by bus to Emily's condo to assist (mostly holding) with baby Penelope.  The weather was unusually mild which also helped my enjoyment.  Step grandsons Carl and Josh and granddaughter Katherine joined me on their first day of Christmas vacation.  We did the traditional visit to what was Marshall Fields department store, site of my first job in Chicago in 1964! viewing the windows along State Street and the 2 story tall tree.  Under Macy's ownership, it was a disappointing display remembering all the handcrafted ornaments and special animated windows of the past.  Lunch was in the Frango Cafe on the store's 7th floor and everyone loved the traditional frango ice cream.  We rode the bus to Emily's where they met their new cousin also known as Poppy and each had a chance to hold her.
Christmas Eve I moved to Mike and Karen's to enjoy the family festivities through the Christmas morning Santa excitement.  Michael was on call and the boys would go to their Dad's in the afternoon, so Katherine and I set off fo the Worland family gathering at sister Margarets with an overnight and second day celebration to enjoy.  There were 4 babies under one year old, plus Katherine and her two Madison cousins.  It was a fun time particularly since brother in law Denni is so great about playing with the kids who were able to enjoy the trampoline in the great weather.  For me, it has been one of the best Christmases ever and brought home again the importance of being near family.