AND I'm a WORLD CLASS procrastinator. I can spend hours being very busy and accomplish absolutely nothing of consequence.
The Christmas Season hasn't started at the Cook house until we've made COOKIES !!
Bobbie, Carol's sister from Baltimore came down two days before Christmas. Then we drove on to Rick Creek, VA to visit their 91 yr old grandmother.
Andrew sings in the Children's Choir at Our Lady of Nazareth Roman Catholic Church. They perform 4 or 5 times a year and Christmas Eve is one of the best. We had Christmas dinner here on Christmas Eve and then went to the Children's Mass. It, was, as always, an inspiring service and the kids sang beautifully.
Carol, Andrew and Bobbie at OLN
Since the kids were leaving early Christmas morning to be with their Dad, we came home from Church and opened all of our presents. Then we had dessert for supper.
The day after Christmas, Tom, Ann and the kids drove from State College to Massanutten Resort.
Adam and Tyler arrived later that evening and we arrived, with my daughter Lena the next day. I was able to use two weeks of my timeshares to get two units almost across the street from each other.
Here is a panoramic view from our balcony. Click on the picture and scroll to the right to see the slopes.
Sunday evening Tom, Adam and Tyler went night skiing. We went to the Indoor Water Park which was one of main reasons we picked Massanutten. Tom, Ann, Adam and all four grandkids are skiers. Carol, Emily, Andrew and I had never been on skis in our lives, so a place with alternative activities, centrally located, was perfect.
Monday morning, the skiers went skiing. I helped Carol, Emily and Andrew get equipment rented, booted up and they went off to ski school.
After an hour of instruction everyone was ready for a break. Lunch, rest and then back for a second hour. Andrew stayed at the school. Emily and Carol went to the beginner's slope and their first experience with the lift. Both made it down the hill and called it a day. I spent most of the day sitting with Lena and Ben because the group consensus was that "Grandpa is way too old to learn to ski."
Here's Ben and Tom after a morning on the slopes.
Emily, Ben and me at the lodge.
Ben on my knee
Tuesday we went to the pool. Carol, Andrew, Ann, Casey, Sarah and Ben made Tie Dyed Tee Shirts. Andrew and Emily played ping pong. Tom, Adam and Tyler went skiing. This resort really does have something for everyone. Then since Adam, Tyler and Lena were leaving, we opened Christmas presents.
Wednesday we all went to the Water Park. Thursday, Tom and family left for "real skiing" in the Adirondacks. (Which they canceled because it got VERY COLD.)
So - we're left alone. And the school package starts looking AWFULLY attractive. I joined Andrew at the first class. Then Carol stayed at the school with Andrew. I skipped the second class and Emily and I headed for the slopes. With a couple of rest periods we made 9 runs. Fell down a couple of times and are looking forward to going again. Grandpa might be old, but he ain't THAT old. I get discounts on lift tickets and equipment rental AND in 6 more years I can ski FOR FREE !!!
This was the first time ALL of both my families were together and I think I speak for everyone when I say, "We had a ball."
You may be getting tired of hearing this, but I AM SO BLESSED !
