Alan
Flenner, our nephew, plays for a Beaver County youth ice hockey team in PA.
His team made it to the national playoffs which just happened to be in San Jose,
CA this year! We were delighted when we heard that his family would be joining
him on the trip, and that we would be able to see them all for at least a few
days. Eric drove (about 5 1/2 hours) up on Wednesday and Laurie flew up after
work on Friday to join them.
Saturday afternoon was spent seeing the sights in San Francisco including the sea lions at Pier 39, taking the trolley from Fisherman's wharf to Union Station, and driving down "the crookedest street in the world." On Sunday we visited a winery just south of San Jose called Mirassou. We got a private tour and learned a lot about the making of wine, then we tasted 6 or 7 while listening to some live music.
The visit was much too brief, but very enjoyable! Though Alan's team didn't make it to the final game, they played well and all of us had a wonderful time. More Pictures Here
Laurie spent 2 busy days in Germantown, MD on a business trip during the second week of April. It's difficult to be so close to friends & family on the East Coast and yet not have time to spend with them! Qiagen was conducting meetings for their sales reps and Laurie was busy conducting training for them.
Gretchen
MovesIt's like having one of our family members move away. Gretchen has been a great friend since we moved here from Pittsburgh, and now she is moving on. Eric helped her pack up the truck, fitting every stich of furniture and every box in its perfect place with much care (and we hear everything arrived in perfect condition). Another friend, Marilyn, accompanied her for the trip to Austin, TX, where Gretchen will start a new life, closer to her children. We wish her well and miss her very much!