Christmas Letter for 2010
A Very Merry Christmas!
Dear Family and Friends,
This year’s summary is going to start a week earlier than 2010. Christmas 2009 was a very unusual Christmas in Tulsa; we had a white Christmas, complete with blizzard.
On Christmas Eve Dan’s family comes to our house and continues his grandmother’s tradition of hosting her family. 
Prior to the gathering Dan and I usually attend Christmas Eve service at our church and rush home to get ready for the party. Last year, the blizzard kept us from attending the service.
Just as Dan was getting ready to cook the pork tenderloin (outside on the grill of course) he had to go pick up his parents; a trip that usually takes 10 minutes. By the time he got back dinner was ready. (Perfect timing!!) Even though the group was small and the house was littered with snow boots, we had lots of fun, and more champagne left than usual.
The snow kept us from traveling to celebrate with Martha’s family. But thanks to friends down the street, we were able to walk a few blocks in the snow to celebrate Christmas with them. We are thankful to have such good friends. I think we both agree that a “White Christmas” is for the birds!!
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In July, Martha and her sister went took their parents to Estes Park for the annual trip. Martha went on into Denver for a work meeting and Beth stayed and enjoyed the mountains. They sat by the river and read, took naps and made trips into Rocky Mountain National Park to look for the animals. We all agree the mountains are a great place to spend a week in July and out of the Oklahoma heat.
In August, Martha went with her friend Maureen on another road trip. Maureen took her grandson to Columbus Ohio for graduate school. We stopped in St. Louis to stay with Maureen’s sister and ate frozen custard at Ted Drewe’s, a must if you are ever in St Louis!! 
We also took the ride in the St Louis arch, what a view at night. Once in Columbus we acted like tourists and even ate at Schmidt’s a restaurant featured on Man vs. Food, a favorite tv show. It was nice to be in Columbus and really see the town. Any other time Martha is there, it is work related, the Abbott Nutrition headquarters in there.
In October, we went to the east coast to see the beautiful fall colors. We were in Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. Vermont was filled with waterfalls, New Hampshire with covered bridges and Maine with lighthouses and wonderful seafood meals. One of our favorites was a stuffed lobstah at the Hurricane Restaurant in Kennebunkport. On our lighthouse expedition we discovered a Man vs. Food restaurant called the Lobster Shack. It was on the coast and the clams were wonderful. We also found a Diners, Drive-ins and Dives restaurant; The Maine Diner. The lobstah roll was delicious.
One of the highlights for Martha was a tour of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream factory. We got to taste the flavors and visit the flavor cemetery. I can’t imagine who thought that popcorn ice cream was a good idea.
If the slide show of New England doesn’t show up for you, then click here.
We made it back to Tulsa and all has been quiet, until a month ago. We rescued another dog. Her name is Gabby and she will be 3 years old in February. So far, she is getting along well with Penny and Bella. We lost Kacey last spring. Gabby and Martha have had a few interactions for her to learn who is really in charge! I think I have my bluff in on her.
Thanksgiving brought everyone to our house again. We celebrated with thirteen people. It is so nice to have help with the food. Then that brings us around to the end of the year. We can’t believe it has gone by so quickly.
We are thankful for our family and friends and our Christmas Wish is for everyone to stay healthy and safe. A special prayer goes out to those that lost loved ones this year and those in serving in the military.
We hope your holidays are merry and safe.
