Oops! Where did December go?

Jeffrey gently reminded me this morning that I haven't updated this blog since November.  What?  Where did December go?  It blew by so fast that I lost track of time and suddenly it is 2015!

We started December with our annual visit to Lazydays -- our preferred service facility to get non-chassis items fixed or serviced.  Like a house, there always seems to be a (hopefully short) list of "fix it" items. For us this time, it was just replacing a dripping vacuum valve under a sink and swapping out a seal in a roof A/C unit.  We also had them do some general maintenance items that we don't like to do ourselves -- replacing sealant along the roof and window edges in a few places plus a general "jack & slide" service.  In hindsight, this last item resulted in slide seal lubricant getting all over our newly waxed areas, so I have already decided I will do this part myself next time and hopefully be a little more careful about where it goes!

While at Lazydays, we got to catch up with another full-time RV couple we met there 2 years ago, the Zingers!  We always enjoy each other's company and had several overlapping service days to visit and share this past year's adventures. We also got to connect with my uncle/aunt/cousin families in St. Petersburg, one of Jeffrey's cousins from Valrico, plus do quick visits to Costco and Trader Joes before settling in an hour northeast at Lake Louisa State Park for 10 days.

This State Park is in Clermont and wonderfully secluded -- a perfect rest stop before the holiday activities kicked in.  We even pulled out the bikes and gas grill from the "basement" and gave them both some exercise. We also visited with more of Jeffrey's extended family in the Orlando area and even saw a cousin's 12 year-old daughter perform in a team "cheer" competition.  All I can say is WOW -- just amazing to see these talented kids tumble, flip, and toss each other around at lightening speed.  Her team even won first place!

Us with Jeffrey's "first cousin once removed", Jessica

Our next stop was across the state in Hobe Sound -- Jonathan Dickinson State Park.  This continues to be one of our favorite destinations, not only because it is located near more of my family, but also because it is lovely and well configured for a rig like ours (fewer trees, full hookups and big RV pads).  Within a day of plugging in, we jumped on a plane to Raleigh for a 60th wedding anniversary celebration for Jeffrey's parents. Minus some difficulty with flights back to Florida, it was really wonderful spending the Christmas holiday with such a big chunk of family.

Jeffrey's parents, Jack and Evelyn Martin

Us with nephews Karl & Isaac plus niece Anna

Once we got back to Florida, we enjoyed visits with my family there with the few days we had left before once again having to leave to traverse over to Clermont. While we love the state parks, we don't like that there is a 14-day limit on them.  That said, the price and convenience are very nice indeed!  Too bad we aren't Florida residents anymore or it would be cheaper.

As I write this, we have less than a week left before we take Max to a storage unit near Tampa where he will sleep while we fly to spend 2 weeks in Hawaii with my Dad and Sheila.  We are hoping to see whales there as this is the time they visit the islands.

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