//check the parent
var parent = groupElement.Elements.First().GetParent();//will be the group element
//top-most parent
var top_most = groupElement.Elements.First().GetParent(true);//will be the GraphicsLayer
//check the parent
var parent = groupElement.Elements.First().GetParent();//will be the group element
//top-most parent
//will be a GraphicsLayer or Layout
var top_most = groupElement.Elements.First().GetParent(true);