We have had beautiful weather in Phoenix and we both are greatful for our good fortune to be out of the wintry blast many are experiencing. I worry about my friends and loved ones driving in that nasty weather. Stay safe!
Mark and I have had a fun few weeks. We spent three days in Laughlin, NV for a nice getaway and a little gambling and really great food. We try to do this once every winter as we do enjoy it!
We are looking forward to a visit from sister Sharon and Arne at the end of the month, as well as our visit to the Phoenix Open at the same time. Last year we went to all four days but don't know about this year. We will play it by ear. It is "the greatest show on grass" as they say. :-)
We continue to go the fitness center four times per week. I am not positive I am getting any stronger but we enjoy it. I also try to hike several times a week and that is a huge enjoyment for me. Lots of beauty in the desert and mountains!
Needless to say, I am lonesome for my three grandchildren. So lonesome that I bought another plane ticket for a quick Valentine's Day visit. :-) Mark is holding the fort down here in Phoenix while I fly to Peoria. I think our Xmas plane ride was plenty for him for awhile. :-) We will also be traveling with them and Matt over the kid's spring break so we are super excited for that trip.
Some random pictures from our days in the desert....
Just mowed lawn.....takes me longer to roll up the cord than it does to mow!
A view of the CO River from a bar in the Golden Nugget, Laughlin
Beautiful "forest" and waterfall inside the Nugget
On the drive to Laughlin
Very interesting drive
We met friends at our favorite horse track
Trying to get 20 minutes of Vitamin D per day. :-)
Mark and I flew to Peoria on Dec. 30th. Was it cold when we arrived? Yes! Did we care? No! Megan, Drew and Kayley were waiting for us at the airport! What more could we ask for, accept perhaps Ryan, but he was waiting for us at home with his dad.
Matt came the next day and we all had a great time. We opened belated presents from Grandpa and Grandma and Matt. We played all kinds of games, sports and puzzles. Never a dull moment.
On our last Saturday we had an early birthday party for Drew. (Real birthday on Jan. 15) He opened presents from Matt and us and we had cake and a dinner out. Fun day.
The weather outside was frightful.....don't recall in recent memory it being this cold but I am sure it was! Guess it was that Polar Vortex. :-) Drew and Kayley were outside more than Grandma thought was necessary but they survived and had a grand time!
We had to depart on Monday, the 6th, but that was an ordeal in it's own right. We were scheduled to leave at 11:15 a.m. That was changed to 11:15 that evening. Our pilot steered the jet into a snow bank and we waited a LONG time for airport workers to get something started in those cold temps to tow the plane out of the bank. Finally they did....we walked into our Phoenix home at 5 a.m. IL time.....long, long night. It was all worth it seeing our family.
A video collage of our time in Peoria and stills of the same follow. Happy 2014 to everyone!
