Beginning A New Year-2010!

As soon as our Christmas guests left for home, we also hurried home to pack for our surprise trip to Maryland, to get there in time for the McArthur Churistmas party @ my brother Jim's house on Saturday, Jan 3rd.  So here it was the Wednesday before.  We packed, sent Mahlee to the kennel, closed up the house, took Mac with us and drove two days to get to my sister Ellen's house the day before the party.  Here, then, are some highlights of our trip.

Everyone was totally surprised that Earl and I were there.  It was so nice to see the family, esp. the granddaughters.  I had a really great time with all.
We spent a few days with Ellen, then visited Julie and family.

We played many games, and read many stories.  They loved to have Grandpa read to them.

We also watched Analese ice-skating.  She's a natural.

Of course, Mara also wanted to learn to skate.  Here she is for her 1st lesson.

It didn't take long, with a little help @ first from Daddy, for Mara to skate on her own.
Another natural!

Here's some photos of Rose:  Opening her stocking, and seeing her Irish ornament

Rose with her Irish blanket

Playing with her kitchen set

We also were there to celebrate Mara's 4th birthday before we had to leave for home.

We also went to my sister Barb's house, for an overnight party with sisters Ellen, and Sandie, nieces Kara, and Sarah, and nephew Travis, and played board games, and laughed, and ate.  We stayed for a few days in their family room.  Earl helped set up their new 42" LCD TV, and enjoyed watching TV. 

Finally, after celebrating for 3 weeks, it was time to leave for home.  We really lucked out with fairly good weather both going and coming home, before the Marylanders got 3 feet of snow, and another 2 ft. later.  It was in the 40-50's while we were there.  It was a great retirement trip.  Unfortunately, we had the bitter cold temps return to Minnesota after we got home.  All my plants survived, as did Mahlee.