Our Vacation

Hi William,

While you have been turning even more blue in cold Scotland we went on a cruise on a really big boat to Mexico. It was warm and sunny and lovely. But the whole time I just really wish you were with me. Here are some pictures showing the fun we had. We arrived in San Diego and took all our bags to the big boat.

When we checked in they had to check all our papers. The certificates that said we were born. But if we weren't born we wouldn't be going on a cruise so I wasn't quite sure about this. But the lady was really nice and soon we were on the ship.

On of the first things we did was relax in the sun. Such a a nice way to spend the afternoon.

Then we checked out the ship. I made sure all the safety stuff was all where it needed to be. An elephant can't be too safe. Laura Jayne said she was proud of me for being safe.

And speaking of safe after the walk but before they would let the ship set out onto the big ocean. We had to have a mustard drill. I don't know why we needed mustard, but we also needed big orange floaty things in case we decide to go swimming or the boat hits an iceburg off the coast of the baja penisula.

Then after the mustard drill the boat started to float out to sea. It was exciting to watch all the other smaller boats go by. This is the window from our room.

The next morning we were in Ensenada, Mexico. There is one important thing to do in Mexico, and it involves drinking lots of fuzzy stuff from green bottles.

So not wanting to offend my new friends in this new country I drank lots of fuzzy stuff until my head got very fuzzy itself.

Later we got back on the boat and had fun there. We played golf, which is fun when the boat is rocking and going up and down and back and forth and the little ball rolls all crazy.

And we played pingy-pong. I was good at pingy-pongy and won two games.

We at a whole lot every day. And lots of good food at dinner. And after dinner we sat and listened to this very nice man sing us songs. He even invited me up and we sang a duet of a pretty song called Norweigan Wood.

I also made some great new friends on the cruise. Every night a new friend would come to stay in our room. By the last night it was a bit crowded, but we had quite fun party. Another elephant came to stay, and a cat and walrus, we had a wonderful time.

Then it was time to go home again. So we waved goodbye to the big boat and drove home. It was such fun William. I would like to go on a cruise with you some day. Do you think you would like that. Maybe to Alaska since you are now so used to it being cold all the time.

I love you William and miss you.

Huggles,

Martha

Snowy Hearts

I was Sooooo jealous seeing you snowboarding as Scotland seems more suited to watersking in the rain, but then THIS happened - white stuff from the sky!
I've not seen proper snow before so I was a bit nervous about going out... but I put my wee scarf on and hit under the tree while the snow fell.

Everything gets so quiet in the snow - like the entire country has said "shhh" and all you hear is the "crump crump" of feet in fresh snow.


All the kids here, young and old (Graeme!) went out and had a snow ball fight in the street - I kept warm in my matching scarf and threw the old sneakie shot - the wee mice never knew what hit them!




It seems we've started a fashion statement this year as scarfs are all the rage, nae so sure about the hat though, widnae fit over my ears too well...











Alas and woe, the wee scarf kept me warm, but I think I caught a wee snuffle fae the snowball fight, I didnae feel too smart the next day and when they took ma temperature at Elephany Hospital I was a wee bit poorly, I was 21Centipedes which is how they measure things over here - they dont count in Fairyheights like we do, I think this means I was as ill as 69Fairys which is not good. I'm feeling better now tho - peanuts and a week in bed put me to rights.







And I bet you thought I forgot what day this was didnt you??? Miss you Martha.

Weeeeeee

Hi William,

Look what we did today. Snowboarding. We went wooshhh and swoshhh all over the mountain. This is when we first got there. I was a wee bit scared at how big the mountain was, but I didn't let anyone see me being a scardy-elephant. And once I tried it I liked it.

We rode up the moutain on these thingies that looked like swings for two people, but since I am a big elephant I got one all to myself so I didn't accidently push anyone off.

Here I am on the snowboard. It takes lots and lots of practice and lots and lots of falling down to be a good woosher and swoosher, but I think I did pretty good.

At the end of the day it was nice just to sit and watch the other people and the snow falling.

Huggles,

Martha

Fun and Food

Hi William,

We had fun today. It is a sort of sport's holiday her in America. We went to some friends house and ate lots of food. Maybe that is why people play sports so other people eat lot.

Laura Jayne made chili and guacamole which is the traditional meal served on this American holiday. And which Laura makes a lot when we go to parties.

The team we were cheering for won the game,

but my tummy was so fully by then I just moaned a bit rather than cheering.

Jessica and her boyfriend Jeff were really full too. Oh, I think all this eating is not the best holiday there is.

What did you do this weekend William?

Huggles,

Martha