Abby loved being spoiled by the twins. 

 The twins used to clown and do magic. Like they did with me when I was a kid, they had Abby the magician do some tricks.

I also got to see my best friend from high school Clair and her daughter. Weird how she lives there now.  Us, walking the same beach, but at different times.

Family

 I am happy Abby got to meet her great grandfather.

 We brought some pumpkin pie. Interestingly, although I learned from my mom how to make the pie, ours are quite different.

 There was a guy singing Christmas tunes while we were there. We got up and danced because we could, literally physically. We were the only ones.

 Abby was so sweet with him. She would "help" him walk by holding onto his walker. 

 She saw some old family photos. 

 I saw a photo of me at like 16! Holy cow.

 My grandfather was in the Navy.

 Home is where the heart is. Or so they say. I would like an actual one, but whatever apparently.

 Cute wrinkled nose. 

Anna Maria Island

Abby and I have not seen Grandmum and Grandad for about a year and a half. We all decided to meet in Florida. Mum's family is there and of course Disney World.

My mom's family lived in Bradenton, so I visited there fairly regularly growing up and we would all go to the "beach".  I didn't realize all this time, that where my best friend from high school has been living for eight years, and where we were going to is that "beach", Holmes Beach. We drove up and it was just like, Ohhhhhh! Yes Marya, just like that! Ohhhh! Ok.

The water was toooo cold to get in past the legs! 

Abby got to meet her great aunts, The Twins (Monica and Marcia) and Gina. 

The making of a princess - preparing for Disney.

It's a small world after all

Thanksgiving

 He really is just looking down my shirt.

 Abby and I had a lovely Thanksgiving with the Seetown's. 

Brothers. 

I feel I got the best one out of the lot. Haven't actually met the rock star brother, don't need to, and "pretty boy" is not all that! Timmay good!

Buoy vase - sold in minutes at the bazaar.

One of my pleased benefactors with his purchase - an overly large pilgrim flask for his homemade wine. He's a well-built fisherman, because that flask is like15 inches tall. He makes it look normal sized, and it is not.

ABBY! My sunshine in these dark days. This sunset photo is at about 5pm.

Timmy! Entertaining to say the least.

Brandon's celebration of life

 In honor of Brandon, friends got together at the Rendezvous and had a party - listened to music, danced, ate, and told storied about him. This was the same day as Abby's Birthday party. It was a wild ride. 

 I am in a place in Kodiak where I know a lot of people, and a lot of people know me, for good or bad. I am glad to know Brandon.  

It was eerily clear and calm that night, and the lanterns I swear made it to the upper atmospheres of Jersey, they went so far and high. 

Abby is 5!

 I couldn't afford Bay Bounce, so Abby's birthday party was at the pool, which worked out quite well. The kids had a blast, and the kids were having such fun I think the parents were cool with hanging out for a bit.  Above I filled a tent with as many balloons as I could fill up. So simple, yet so fun!

 Abby wanted a Halloween cake, not Hello Kitty or Princess or ...

 Her best friend Adrienne, both now with matching Dora necklaces. Adrienne is Herman's (if you recall I am one of his Angels) granddaughter.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

 Abby was soooo enthusiastic about wishing everyone a Happy Halloween!  She thoroughly enjoyed trick or treating.  It was the first year she really knew what was going on, and her excitement just couldn't be contained!

I am so happy for Abby that we had great weather for Halloween!

Mummy wrap up.

Halloween

I was a ringmaster cause my life is a circus!

 The night started late with dancing at Patrick and Zoya's house!

 The highlight of the night was the flame thrower Timmy made (and the dancing!)

 Moved on to Tony's for costume contest.

 This is really how everything looked after the beverages. I recall dancing with Timmy, and then "gracefully" falling into a nice leather chair on top of him at the end of the song.  We meant to do that, really.

 

Really, it was SUCH a fun night!  I think the most fun I've had in a long time. Seeing my friends dance to Gangnam Style, taking advantage of drunk men and making them dance at Tony's, the flame thrower (!!!), it was all good!  It was, dare I say, epic.