"So, this is Christmas....."

"So this is Xmas

And what have you done

Another year over

And a new one just begun

And so this is Xmas

I hope you have fun

The near and the dear one

The old and the young...." (John Lennon)

The "near and the dear one(s)"....3 generations!

So, the circle closes once again......Christmas has come around again, and another year has passed.  A year ago I had no great grandkids.....this year I have one.  I'm sure I must be getting old, but so far it doesn't feel like it.

The 'old and the young'....4 generations of Hockwald 'men'

The past 3 days has been a whirlwind, and I've lost count of all the hugs I have gotten from my kids and grandkids, and I am thankful there are many, many more to come.  I was up, regrettably, far too early at 5 am, but it is what is is, and there are always naps to fill in the gaps.

We have annual Christmas traditions in our family, and the first one each Christmas is that all the kids, grandkids, and great grandkids arrive at my oldest son's home (Chris) for brunch around 10 am, and then the opening of presents.  Chris is a very good chef (that is not his profession), and the food is always to die for.

And one including the significant others

Our second tradition is that TLE and I take the kids to a movie in the afternoon.  As the years progress fewer and few kids come as they have other family obligations, and I totally get that.  This year Meredith (far left in the picture) and Sharon & Rod (dead center, back row) joined us to watch the 3rd Hobbit movie (The Battle of the Five Armies).  The five of us thoroughly enjoyed the movie.  Each year I get a head count at brunch, and then purchase our tickets online using Fandango.  They send a message to my phone with a special UPC symbol that the ticket taker scans as we enter the theater.....no muss, no fuss....easy peasy.....and it was.  We met out front at just after 4 pm, and were in our seats by 4:05 pm....no ticket lines, and no paper tickets to clutter our pockets later.

Friday we will be moving our 62' over to my daughter's property for the remainder of our stay in SoCal.  My oldest son, Chris, will come down with his pickup truck and help me back our trailer into the backyard, then I will back in the coach.

"Another year over, and a new one just begun....."....and so that was Christmas......Thanks for stopping by!