Leaving Christmas

Dearest Friends,

Thank you for the Wonderful Celebrations you have presented to us during this year. As we leave Christmas behind and travel towards the New Year, it is good to recall the highlights of 2010.

The Tampa Pirate Festival in January...Thank you Jean, for your hospitality.  And thank you, Buff and Karen, for yours! Florida in the dead of Winter is the Best Place To Be!

The February weekends babysitting Madison in NH were a real treat! There is nothing like getting to know your Grandchildren.

March brought minor disaster.  As I was continuing my journey in NH, Jerry had to deal with the floods at home. It rained for 6 days in a row, which was FAR better than the 9 days in 2005. We celebrated, though, the people who came to US and offered assistance. (Mike, Larry, Tom, Ant...you are the best.)

The Good Times in April and May took thoughts of gloom away. We celebrated our 39th Wedding Anniversary quietly at home, then took to the road again for a the Baptism of our newest 'Grandchild', Jackson, and our sweet Madison's 3rd Birthday Party.

June saw the beginning of a new era for the Family.  My siblings rushed to assist with the care of our parents, who are approaching the last years of their journies. I cannot thank Larry, Donna, Len, Joe, John and Steve and their families enough.

Julia visited us for two weeks in July, and it was a teriffic! Len and Julie visited in August for Dad's Birthday, and we had a wonderful time!

We did some more travelling in September...a trip to Atlantic City with Mom and Dad for their 59th Anniversary, and our Granddaughter Julia's Birthday in Litchfield NH!!!

On October 17th, Jerry's Mom had a stroke. It was a difficult time for us, as we could not get to her right away from where we were.  Fortunately she has good care, and by the time Jerry was able to get to Texas, she was well enough to have the surgery to repair the damages. (She is doing so well now...we are blessed!).

In November the Martineau Family "Reunites", all 38 of us! and it is a Celebration to beat all!

(for insights into the Martineau Family Reunion/Gift Exchange, please visit:
http://xoxoxocd.blogspot.com/2010/11/previews-of-coming-attractions.html  There are 20 posts, this one is the first)

Len and Julie were in from North Carolina, Brian and Ashley from Oregon, Larry and Rosalie from Connecticut, James, and Cheryl and Buddy and their sweet children from Massachusetts and our kids and Grands from New Hampshire.  AND... 

My "Sister", Jean, came up from Florida and stayed with us during Reunion week, and attended her first G.E.  I cannot even begin to tell you how much fun it was having her here!!! (My face is still sore from laughing so much!)  Thank You, Jean!!!

Which brings us current, as you are aware of the December trip.

Goodbye 2010. We enjoyed the ride!