Heading South

We are packed. The U Haul is full. We are tired. The ground is white so it is definitely time to leave town. We are off tomorrow morning and should arrive in AZ on Thursday.

Thankmas 08

It has become a tradition for our family to celebrate Christmas on Thanksgiving weekend because we leave for our winter home shortly thereafter, thus the name Thankmas. We give each day its own true celebration but squeeze as much as possible into the 3 or 4 days we are together.

This year our daughter-in-law and son cooked Thanksgiving dinner and we traveled to their house. Grandma, Kari and we were gathered with Crystal's parents, brother and aunt Barb. It was delicious traditional food in an nontraditional way. Thanks you two! Job well done!

Then it was back home for the traditional early shopping on Black Friday morning. Kari & I found some good bargains and were home by 9:00 to say goodbye to Grandma as she returned to her home.


On Saturday we celebrated Christmas with the kids. Looking how "they" are all under blankets, it is hard to believe there was a real fire going in the fireplace, but there was. The kids left this morning and we continue to pack for our trip south. Thanks kids for the wonderful weekend!

Hoover Dam Visit

On Sunday, before leaving Las Vegas, Kari and I took a tour of Lake Mead and the Hoover Dam. This is a picture of Lake Mead, the largest man-made lake. Our guide explained that the Las Vegas area is in a serious drought and evidence of it could be seen on the water lines of the exposed rock islands and along the shoreline.

The Hoover Dam is a very impressive sight and a mammoth structure. Lots of security in and around the area.

This is a shot of the Colorado River once it has left the dam. Again, we could see the water line marks along the canyon walls showing how low the water level is at this time.

Las Vegas

Three mothers and their three daughters spent a weekend in Las Vegas the end of October. We had a good time, but most of us agree we don't have to visit the city of lights again.

Paris was an interesting resort to visit. We found a great little pastry shop.


You'd think we were in Brooklyn! We headed to New York, New York for famous sausages. Interesting flavor combinations, but once was enough.

Actually, we had some scones in mind at another bakery in New York, New York. But when we got to the shop, we decided to pass.


The water and light show at the Bellagio was probably the second most impressive part of the Las Vegas weekend. Our show Mystere, taking the number 1 spot.

This sexy couple graced the center of the casino in the resort where we stayed.


Not many things in Las Vegas are cheap or inexpensive. Lynette found 99¢ margaritas at the end of the block. They tasted just as good as the $8.00 one I had the first night. Bill's was a great place to stop, coming or going!


Just too humorous to pass up. And there wasn't just one of these kiosks, we had at least two in a four block area. (Keep in mind a block was 1/2 mile long!)

Football Season

Many of you know we are HUGE Gopher (University of Minnesota) fans. This is how we spend most Saturdays during football season; dressed in our U of M maroon and gold at the Metrodome Stadium in Minneapolis. It was Homecoming last Saturday and the Gophers lost in a heartbreaking last 12 seconds field goal fumble.

Here is a shot of the "sea of gold" student section at the game. There were 50,000+ in attendance and no one left early, thinking it would go into overtime at 17-17. Oh well, next week is another opportunity.