Happy Holidays 2015

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You made it! Whether you are on this site just to find the answer key to our Christmas Card Search Game, or because you actually like to read this stuff, welcome to the 2015 Castro Christmas Letter.  If you are just looking for the answer key, feel free to scroll down, we don’t mind. #WheresYourChristmasSpirit
Every year, we set out to write a holiday letter that’s different from the previous year. Looking back at our last 3 online letters, I see that we have failed in that quest. So this year, we won’t apologize for it. #SorryNotSorry


The last few weeks have been a whirlwind in Blacksburg, Virginia.  We have seen the retirement of one of the greatest coaches in college football and an even better man.  Frank Beamer did so much for Virginia Tech and Southwest Virginia, and he was always good to Stacie and me as well.  #GOAT (for those of you who don't know that means "Greatest Of All Time")

On the field at Coach Beamer's last home game
We will miss seeing him in the hallways, as well as many of the coaches and staff that we considered family. #SeasonsChange

While we’re on the topic, we must mention that Coach Beamer got us 1 more victory over UVA, the Hokies’ 12th season in a row.  It is always fun to beat them! #LetGoHokies #WeOwnTheState #DozenYearsofDominance

 
Over the summer, we took an fantastic trip to Thailand with 2 of our great friends Eric and Audrey. #BlumbersAreBest (That's not a real hashtag, #ButItShouldBe)

Wat Traimit - Bangkok, Thailand (Wat means "temple")
The place is simply breathtaking.  To get a more indepth look at what we did, you can read Stacie’s blog.  Thai food is amazing, we had the best Pad Thai in Bangkok.  The kitchen was on the sidewalk. They even wrapped the entire meal in a thin scrambled egg. #Eggcellent
We definitely could have done a better job eating more street food. #SoGood #ImAlwaysTalkingAboutFood #GoFigure
Row of Golden Buddha, Wat Pho - Bangkok, Thailand
 
Even though we wouldn't describe ourselves as "beach people" we spent more time going to beaches this year than normal. We even had a chance to visit 3 of the 4 oceans #WhyIsTheArticSoFarAway
I think this one was Wrightsville #SoEmbarrassing
-Fernadina Beach, FL #CloudyButWarm
-Waves, NC #LosWaves15
-Patong Beach, Thailand #WellJustPhuket
-Kata Noi Beach, Thailand #WellJustPhuket
-Santa Monica, CA #GoingBackToCali
-Nags Head, NC #CastrOBX15
-Wrightsville Beach, NC #LastHurrahOfTheSummer
(Incidentally, did you know there are now 5 oceans? When we were kids there were only 4! #SouthernOcean #AggressiveExpansion)

The OG #LosWaves (and Kate, our waitress)
Santa Monica, CA




This summer we also got to visit the World’s Most Famous Arena (#MSG) in America's greatest city (#NYC) to see the best band in the world, U2 (#U2ieTOUR).  The show was probably the best I’ve ever seen. #GOAT (see? I used that expression again)
U2 - Innocence and Experience Tour, Madison Square Garden, NYC
Sun Flare on the Blue Ridge Parkway














Fall in Blacksburg was one of the most beautiful that we’ve had in years.  We got a few chances to get out and enjoy the sights, taking in the Skyline Drive and the Blue Ridge Parkway.  It really is the best time of year to live in southwest Virginia. #FallSeasonIsTheBestSeason
#TheLeavesTheyAreAChangin



Overlooking the Shenandoah Valley


Panoramic View off the Skyline Drive in Virginia

Along with the beautiful foliage, Fall brings football, and this year, we got to take another weekend football trip from Virginia to Kentucky to Indiana to Buffalo in 2 days.  But check out the view from our seats at the Dolphins/Bills game, thanks to Tyrod Taylor. #HokieFamily
Dolphins vs. Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium, Orchard Park, NY
Double Decker Bus Ride with Abramsons #YearOfLA
Reception with the Russells #BootyandBooSayIDo

 All in all, we’ve been to weddings from Charlotte to New York, Richmond to Leesburg. #LoveIsAllYouNeed



We’ve seen wildlife from Orlando to Chiang Mai #ManateesInTheRiver #BabyTiger #DiDi



#SeaCow

Relax, she's just cooling off.
What do tigers dream of?




 
We’ve been to graduations in California #PompAndCircumstance, and survived the 2015 Shark Scare up and down the east coast #SharkWeek.  And made one more visit to the #GumWall in Seattle. #HowCanCleanThatOff #NOTCool.  You can see pictures from all of these, including the 2015 Castro Donut Tour in our Year in Pictures. #ShamelessPlug
 

Breakfast with the Coates'

In the shadow of lower Manhattan

Castro Family at the beach #CastrOBX15








And now for the moment you’ve all been waiting for… the reveal of the ANSWER KEY!!! #FINALLY

As you can see there are only 10 differences in the 2 scenes.  We told you 11 so that you would be overcome with curiosity and be forced to visit this site. #Dirty #NotCool #NeverReadingThisLetterAgain #WorstHolidayLetterEver

#MerryChristmas #HappyHanukkah (#Belated) #HappyKwanza #RamadanKareem #HappyNewYear #2016


Comments

  1. JoeDecember 22, 2015 at 3:52 PM

    Of course. I got all but "holday" #hookedonphonics

    ReplyDelete

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