1998~ November 25-28, Trip to Graceville, Florida

Day 1: Wednesday, November 25, 1998

I traveled with Mike, his family, and Ronald to Graceville, Florida, to visit my younger son and his family.

Day 2: Thursday, November 26, 1998

Robin & Charity spent all morning cooking the Thanksgiving dinner.

The kids played outside, and the weather was very warm,

The Macy's Thanksgiving parade was playing on the television.

Day 3: Friday, November 27, 1998 

We went shopping and left the boys with my sons, who were all watching football games.

In 1998, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Detroit Lions went to overtime. Pittsburgh's Jerome Bettis called the coin toss in the air, but confusion surrounded the call. The officials misheard Pittsburgh's call and awarded Detroit the ball, which went on to win 19-16 on their first drive in overtime. Because of the fiasco, team captains are now required to call the coin toss before the coin is tossed. 

Minnesota vs.Vikings score is 46 to Dallas Cowboys 36.

Charity, Robin, Sierra, Hannah, and I left early for the early morning Black Friday Sales at Wal-Mart.

It was a madhouse at the crowded Wal-Mart, where everyone was grabbing, shoving, and pushing to get the early morning sales.

Ronald needed a new television. I found one at Wal-Mart. Since I did not have a shopping cart to put the television in, I sat on the television box so no one would take it.

Finally, someone offered me a shopping cart. I loaded the television into Sierra's cart and walked to the checkout counter.

Robin and Charity were standing in the checking line.

We rode to the outlet mall, where we shopped for several hours. 

Day 4: Saturday, November 28, 1998

We packed a picnic lunch on Saturday morning, and all rode to Panama City Beach.

At the beach, we built sandcastles, swam in the Gulf, and played football in the sand.

Being on the beach was a great day because it was not crowded.

Jake, Ronald, Hannah, Sierra, Charity and Me

Jake and Hannah 

Ronald building a sand castle 

Ronald building a sand castle. 

Hannah, Sierra, Dakota, Charity 

Mike playing football

Me on the beach 

Hannah, Dakota, Sierra 

Jake and Hannah

That night, after dark in Panama, we walked down the road, passing several hotels already decorated for Christmas.

Mike, Ronald, Andy, Jake, Hannah, Sierra, and Hannah 

When we returned to my son's house, the kids decided to decorate their tree for Christmas.

Jake, Hannah, and Dakota decorating the Christmas Tree 

Day 5: Sunday, November 29, 1998 

Our trip home was a little crowded because we had to make room for the television I bought at Walmart on Black Friday.