On Monday November 21 we drove to Sacramento and spent our usual enjoyable time with Dennis and Rita. Tuesday afternoon we boarded a fully packed Southwest flight to Baltimore, by way of Las Vegas (flight from there also packed). We arrived at BWI at around 1am, so caught the shuttle to a hotel. Wednesday morning, Laura picked us up for the trip to Montgomery Village. It was soon time for Ian's swimming lesson, so we went along so see him practice his backstroke.

The next day was Thanksgiving, and here is the colorful Thanksgiving table. While waiting, Fiona and I posed for a picture. Fiona and Ian were anxious for the feast to begin. Following in the family tradition, Evan got this picture of the table,but some of the participants got out of the picture before the timer counted down. Or something. Never mind. After the feast and some respite, we all took a walk. All of us included Laura, Fiona, Evan, new Norwich Terrier Lily, Ian, Amelia, and me (in shadow). We proceeded along the lake, with Lily leading the way. Later, many games were played, such as Bananagram, Canasta, and Taboo, and some wii by some. Late in the evening, Evan, Ian, and Fiona, and I went to a shopping center in Germantown to get in line for the 12 midnight opening of Best Buy and Target. Fiona and I lasted about 10 minutes with several hundred people ahead of us, when we called Evan and Ian to say we wanted to give up. Oh well. Everyone should experience an early Black Friday. I've done mine now.

Friday, Evan and I did a some repairs on the stairs for the screened deck.

Saturday was Evan's birthday. More walking, down along the lake, where I got a picture of a heron. We celebrated Evan's birthday with much decoration and many gifts. Then, more games, including a round of Mexican Train.

Sunday we went to the National Geographic Museum in Washington, DC, to see their exhibit of the Anglo-Saxon Hoard. The pieces are quite extraordinary, and are well worth seeing. Apparently this will be their only exhibition in the US, but will be there until March 4, 2012. After, we went out to eat at Ted's Bulletin, and we were off to the nearby Labyrinth Game Shop, a wonderful store for games, puzzles, and other amusements.

Monday was another pictureless day. Evan went back to work, Ian and Fiona got back to their school work, and the rest of us did a few chores and whatnot. Of course, we were preparing to return to California.

Tuesday morning, Ian was busy studying. Laura took us to BWI where we had an excellent lunch at Phillip's Seafood. First leg of the flight back (via Louisville and Las Vegas was OK, but on to Las Vegas it was packed with Louisvillans anxious to put their money down. On to Sacramento was full, and we got off early and into Sacramento early. Back to Oregon on Wednesday.

It was a great trip, wonderful times visiting, and games with the Marylanders.