december
2009
We began the month of December doing the "usual" things at
Palm Creek.  The Christmas season was approaching, however,
and we participated in a few activities to get us into "the mood."  
First on the 'seasonal itinerary' was the Casa Grande Light
Parade.  There were 85 lighted floats in the Christmas parade and
we had our annual "dinner and a parade" night by picking up a
pizza to eat while we sat curbside along the route to watch the
show.  The hard-working Palm Creek committee won a third-place
prize for the park's float.    We also attended Christmas
gatherings with our friends in the tennis club, bridge group and
volunteer groups and enjoyed cocoa and cookies at the annual
"Christmas Sing-along" with the Palm Creek Chorus.
Before we knew it, it was time to head east for our holiday visit with the family.  We flew from Phoenix to Detroit on December 20.  From there we drove a rented car
to Jackson and spent a couple nights with Mary's Mom and finished up our Christmas shopping.  On December 22 the three of us drove to Elysburg, Pennsylvania
where we were greeted by our three granddaughters, our daughter and son-in-law.  Our son, Reid, drove up from West Virginia on Christmas Eve and we enjoyed
several wonderful days of family togetherness.  Santa was good to all of us, and we shared some good meals and fun times playing games.  We also were able to
attend some of the girls' basketball games and a swim meet.
Returning on December 28 from Pennsylvania to Michigan, we stopped in Wadsworth, Ohio to visit
Mary's Aunt Nina and cousin Kathy...always fun to connect with the more distant family.  
We returned to Arizona on New Year's Day...and send our best wishes to all for a great 2010.
Our friend Connie Emmerson escorting the Palm
Creek float along the parade route.
Our mini-tree on the dash of
the Dutch Star.
The family gathered in Elysburg, Pennsylvania on Christmas Eve....Ann, Coffey, Matt,
Merrick, Close, Great-Grandma Edith, Reid, Mary and Tom.
Coffey, Merrick and Close with Uncle Reid...who taught
them how to use Skype on their computer and to use an
I-pod Touch.
Playing the new "Connect 4x4" was a
challenge for all of us.
Close working for her team.
Coffey checking out the ref's last call.
return to our "home
page"
return to "What we've been
doing.....
On the 29th we drove to Toledo, Ohio and over two days had short but great visits with Mary's brother Bill and his wife Beth; Tom's sister Judy and her husband
Ron;  Tom's mother; and our good friends Dick and Liz.  Once again, good friends Kathy and Dennie provided our "hotel" space at their home and we had a
joyous New Year's Eve with them....another fast moving year behind us.
Mary, Mom, Aunt Nina, Cousin Kathy