WE ARE HOME!

We had a great time traveling but we are glad to be back home again. The trip started off well. We were able to get everything packed into our suitcases with out going over the weight limit for the airlines. We were making our first stop in North Carolina. Dad had wanted to see a development called Ford's Colony in Rocky Mount. We did not check the map very well as we had landed in Charlotte at 4:30 PM and Rocky Mount is about a 4 hour drive north. As we were still on California time, it wasn't too bad getting there. Dad did all the driving, as I have a tough time driving at night.

We had a great hotel room at the Residence Inn. More room than we actually needed. It had a small kitchenette and breakfast bar to eat at if needed. We didn't. We did spend a full day at Ford's Colony looking at their model homes and at lots available. Even though we did find a couple of lots of interest to us, I think we are going to pass. The question of where we are going to be once Dad retires is still up in the air. Dad has decided not to worry about it anymore until the time is closer.

We left a day early from Rocky Mount to make our way to West Virginia. We were able to get our room a day early so that made our decision to move-on that much easier. Again, the drive took us about 5 to 5 and 1/2 hours. The drive was uneventful. We even stopped along the way for lunch.

We finally arrived around 4:30-5:00 at the hotel. The Clarion Hotel was tucked away from the road so you did not see it right away. Once you do, you are amazed at the site. It is a very large hotel. It was now our home away from home for a few days. We saw Jon and family that evening for dinner. We visited some the next day but we also needed to visit Tony and family too so we split-up the day.

Dad wanted to do the Farmer's Market with Tony on Saturday but was talked out of it by Tony. Dad did not want to disappoint him but was told that it might be too much for Dad to do. Dad listened. I helped Abby make the fruit cake cookies and Gabe and Sophia and I put gingerbread houses together. We thought the houses were the best ever!

We tried to get together as often as possible to see everyone. We hoped we spent enough time visiting but we know that it is not the same as if one is available every day.

We did attend Christmas service on Christmas Eve which was very nice. We opened gifts with Tony and family before the service and before Jon and family arrived. We had decided to do this as the gifts were quite large. It made it easier to leave the gifts home the next day.

We arrived at Jon's house on Christmas about mid-morning. We started to open some gifts and Katelynn was very excited. She wanted to keep opening presents when we stopped to take a break to have some breakfast. It was a good way of doing things as it made the morning's excitement last for awhile. We think everyone received what they wanted.

Tony and family arrived later in the afternoon for dinner. Jon cooked a large turkey with all the makings. Some dinner rolls and cranberry sauce were forgotten but no one seemed to mind. It was a fun time for everyone. Afterwards, the Wii game was used and everyone had a lot of fun. Gabe, Tony, and Dad seem to have a rivalry going with that game. Tony and Jon do so also. We need to get one so we can practice for the next time. Now, we just have to find the game system...

After returning to the hotel, we went down to the lobby to use the hotel's computer. We wanted to print out our boarding passes for the trip to Denver. It was a good thing that we had tried because our flight had been CANCELLED. United said they did not have a crew to fly the plane. (We found out later that United had let a number of crews off so they were short handed. The cause was two major snow storms that had caused many flight delays. No pilots - no planes) We had not been notified and at the time we did not know what was going to happen. It took a long phone call from Dad and some very strong conversation to get us on a flight. There weren't flights available from Dulles Airport or Ronald Regan. The only flight we could get on was out of BWI at 8:00 am. This meant we had get up and moving by 4:00 am in order to arrive at the airport on time. We did make it and even had a quick breakfast. We weren't even finished eating when we thought our flight was being called so anything left over was thrown away. It was a false alarm but we rather had been safe than sorry.

We had to call Jennifer when we had the flight change. They were picking us up originally in the afternoon but it had to be changed for the morning. Luckily Mark was home and could do the job as Jennifer had a haircut appointment for the kids. They had also received 3 inches of snow on Christmas Day so it was a pretty sight. On Thursday, they received another 6 inches. We definitely experienced snow this trip. Noah and Madilynn loved playing in the snow. There were drifts that were a little deep and hard for both of them to manage but it usually did not slow them down. It was hard at times to get Noah to come inside as he was having so much fun.

We had a great visit with the Colorado group. As we were getting ready to leave, we checked on our flight several times to make sure it was still on time and flying. It was and we arrived at the airport in plenty of time. The only problem we did have was a gate change. It wasn't a major problem but you start to wonder whether there would be anything else.

The flight was a little bumpy but not all the way. We had our small packet of pretzels and one drink of water or soda. It was a short trip, only two hours or so. We were finally in Orange County. It took awhile for the bags to be found but that was a minor problem. We at least had the bags. We then loaded up the car and away we went. Boy it is good to be home.

Now the laundry, ironing, going through the mail, and on and on.

Happy New Year to everyone!!!!