December 15, 2010-January 5, 2011 — Christmas and New Years Break — Raleigh, NC

By Trawlers on January 9, 2011 in Magoo

"Frosty" brings in Raleigh's "White Christmas" — First one since 1947

"Blue" — Is That You With The "Goosebumps"?

"Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow" —

"'ToTo'–Are We In Vermont?"

"The Great 'Whiteway"

"Over The River and Through The Woods to Grandma's House We Go."

Winter Wonderland

We're Not on The Boat — But, "We're Walking In A Winter Wonderland"

December 15. We flew out of Fort Myers homeward bound to Raleigh, NC in time for Elaine’s retirement at EC (surprise Elaine, she wasn’t expecting Art–after all, he’s doing the “Loop”). Congratulations to you Elaine!! We hit to ground running trying to get ready for Christmas. We did okay, but a bit abbreviated. – Christmas Eve was so, so enjoyable at the home of my buddy Diane and Chuck with their awesome family. –

"Cookin' 'da Christmas Turkey" (Dick and Kyle)

Christmas day was spent with Kyle and Steph at their lovely home with a wonderful, wonderful dinner; fried turkey by chef’s Dick and Kyle plus all the fixin’s with everyone contributing to the different dishes (Cassie’s wonderful “Party Potatoes” and Brent’s ham; Arlene’s yummy salad and gravy, Steph’s holiday favorite green bean casserole, and our tried and true home made pumpkin pie along with our first try at sweet potato casserole — everyone seems to have survived the casserole–aren’t families wonderful to try out new recipes on! Well surprise, surprise, North Carolina got its first “White Christmas since 1947″, and it was beautiful. We enjoyed walking on Raleigh’s Greenway (that was now a “Whiteway”). We were surprised to come upon a Blue Heron that I swear had “goosebumps” — what else could have caused those ruffled feathers at 29 degrees? As grandparents we enjoyed our granddaughter’s, Isabel, second Christmas, and even had her stay a few nights to catch up. We took her to feed the ducks for the first time and they “quacked” very happily as we fed them (not much feed on these cold days), and Isabel “quacked” back at them. January 5. We returned to Fort Myers January 5 (thank you Laurel and Dick for the ride to the airport and thank you Doug and Ann for picking us up at the Fort Myers airport)– but felt like we could have spent more time in North Carolina. We are NOT prejudiced when we say that we are blessed with a MOST WONDERFUL FAMILY!! – Our plans are to stay in Fort Myers for another month exploring the area and seeing family and friends.