Travels of Mark and Pat: July 2013

Wednesday - July 31

Wow.....it's the last day of July! This month has flown by, but we've sure packed lots in after leaving Catrina on the 1st, visiting my cousin in VA, family vacation at Lake James and welcoming our little Blair. And the basement flooding! Ugh!

Keeping busy past few days with laundry, 3 active boys (Grandpa took them out for lunch and bowling yesterday) and cuddling Blair. My back is much better - still hurts some, but obviously not a fractured rib or I would be hurtin' ALL the time! I'm laying off the exercising for a few days!

Bob and Judy came last night and we had fun playing 6-handed euchre and blitz and ate pizza on the porch!

Little Geisha Girl

Mommy, Daddy, boys and baby sister

Blair and Brady - not the baby anymore!!!

Okay Blair.....I'm your middle brother, Davis!

Don't forget Blair....I'm Drew....your oldest and "favorite" brother

Grandma and NC grandchildren

So, our time here with the NC bunch is almost over. So much fun and in 4 weeks, we'll be back for Labor Day weekend. Tomorrow morning, Mark and I are leaving for Dundalk, MD and Catrina. We have about a 9-hour drive!

Did face time with Liam, Connor, Anne and Patrick - sweet Blair slept thru it all!

Monday - July 29

Blair is 10 days old!!!

Exercised, did laundry, Mark did some more odd jobs, (Michael has been calling him "Juan, the handyman"), and Brooke, Drew and Davis ran a few errands. Brady and I played Blitz, Mark got a haircut and the boys went swimming with friends in the afternoon.

The ServPro folks came and removed some of the fans and plan to be back late morning tomorrow to take out rest. Still damp, but much improved and getting estimates tomorrow on new padding and put carpet back in place and have cleaned!

My back is really hurting today - may have done something from all the "on-my-knees" sucking up water Saturday and then combination of exercising this morning, but keeping the Ibuprofen going and even took a Percocet of Brooke's. Brooke, by the way, is doing super - a real "energizer bunny" who just doesn't stop!!! I'm thinking this back pain feels a lot like a bruised or fractured rib (no clue how THAT could've happened)??? But I so remember that pain from when I fell on the boat in the Abacos and fractured three ribs and this is feeling like that more and more as the

day goes on

Tonight we gave Blair her first "real" bath - she did NOT enjoy tubby time...

First bath - not a big success

Now I'm happy and warm in my fluffy Vera Bradley towel

Everyone was on hand for bath time taking pictures and a video - the brothers helped dress her and brush her hair!

Sunday - July 28

Sunny and warm after all the rain So many stories coming out after this storm.....roads washed out or heavily damaged, 2 people (10-year old girl and 48-year old man) were swept away while swimming in a rural creek and lots of water in basements. We are steering clear of the basement and letting the fans and dehumidifiers do their job - still very damp down there! Estimate of water pumped out between our crew and the pros came to about 2,000 gallons!!!!!!!!!!!

Always felt for people involved in flooding with the mess and clean-up, but sure wouldn't wish this on anyone!

Michael, Davis, Brady and I went to 11:00 Mass at St. Aloysius, brought Panera home for lunch and the guys have been at the garage all afternoon sorting thru stuff that was in storage in basement and pitching, organizing, etc. Brooke and Davis went to get some groceries, I stayed with Blair and Brady and Mark and Drew went to 5:15 Mass.

Michael grilled burgers and brats for dinner and we had a nice picnic on the porch

very pleasant evening! More rain/storms coming tonight and off and on this week!!!! PULEEEEZE....enough is enough!

Blair and Davis

Saturday - July 27

Oh what a day.............................all snuggled under the covers this morning when Mark came flying in to tell me to hurry and get up - basement (all finished) had over 2" of water everywhere! "Our" room is in the basement, but I've been sleeping upstairs near Blair. Everyone up and at 'em and flying into action - had 3 shop vacs going full speed, a portable sump pump and I made a trip to Lowe's to buy a dehumidifier. We worked about 6 hours (rain was still coming down most of this time) and the "pros" finally came in to assess the mess late this afternoon. Since we got to it immediately and not days later (72 hours is the max), carpet is salvageable, but will replace pad - expect to take 3 days to dry out. So much "stuff" to deal with, but nothing that can't be dried out and/or replaced.

This area was hit really hard and lots of flooding here in the neighborhood (especially feel bad for the folks next door. Their son got married in May and had several wedding gifts and photos stored in basement) Pictures on FB showing cars with water up to the roofs in low-lying parking lots and some homes/apartment buildings with water to the first-floor windows. The mayor of Hickory declared the area a disaster.

Around 6:30, six men came with their equipment and are "drying us out"!!!! Been reading on the internet all about this heavy rain and flooding in Hickory and surrounding areas - 10-12", and at one time, 65 roads were closed!

Sure feel for those who are far worse off than us tonight!

Drew and Blair

Oh, what a day........

I'm sure someday, I'll hear all about this!!!

Friday - July 26

I'm one week old today

Low-key day today just enjoying Blair, doing some laundry, exercising this morning, etc. Mark and Michael spent the day at the lake working on projects.

Yesterday Mark and I drove about 2 hours to the mountains near Linville and had a great visit and lunch (Bella's Italian Café - Greek salads and pizza) with long-time friends, Bill and Charmaine. We then drove to Blowing Rock and Mark took a nap while I browsed the shops in this charming little town in the mountains - also checked out the Farmer's Market.

Charmaine and Bill

Back home around 5:15 - Bob and Judy spent the day and Judy brought another delicious dinner! We played 6-handed euchre with the guys trouncing us 3 out of 3. Arrgghhhh!

Beautiful crepe myrtle trees are all over NC from white to various shades of pink

Luke enjoying his FL pool

Brady lost his first front tooth Thursday

Sweet Pea

Mark and I picked up Olive Garden for dinner and then we all watched Drew's photos on TV from his trip as he did the narration!

Wednesday - July 24

Hot and steamy here in NC. Mark has been Mr. Fix-it around the house doing various odd jobs, running errands, etc. We both exercised this morning, I'm keeping the laundry caught up and neighbors continue to bring in food!

Blair had a little better night - guess she just likes hanging out with Grandma!!!

The guys (Michael, Mark, Davis and Brady) left at 3 for Charlotte to run some errands and then pick Drew up at the airport....heavy downpour around 5:30 with some hail!

Welcome home Drewby!!!!!

Drew meeting his baby sister

The boys and Blair

Ahhh "merci Drewby"

Sleeping beauty

Cuddling with Grandpa

Drew wanted Five Guys for his first meal at home......I picked that up and after scarfing down our burgers and fries, we were firing the questions at Drew. He had a wonderful time, but is almost in the zombie state from lack of sleep! He's off to dreamland but sure was smitten with his sister!

Davis and Brady are thoroughly enjoying Blair - holding her, feeding her - no diaper changes yet!!!

Tomorrow Mark and I are heading to the mountains near Linville to visit friends we knew from back home who moved to Skidaway Island, GA and spend the summers in the NC mountains.

Tuesday - July 23

Busy fun days here with Baby Blair and family. This Grandma is enjoying all the sweet little "all shades" of pink and lavender sleepers, blankets, bibs, tiny socks, hats, etc.......this is FUN laundry
to do!

Yesterday Bob (Brooke's Dad) and Mark went to Lake James and launched Bob's new fishing boat - what fun times ahead for the boys as they love to fish with their Grand Bob. More friends stopped by and late afternoon, Judy, Bob, Michael,Brooke, Mark and I played 6-handed euchre with the gals beating the guys 2 out of 3. Judy brought delicious dinner for all to enjoy (ham, scalloped potatoes, marinated asparagus, fresh-from-the-garden-tomatoes, rolls, topped off with butterfinger pie) THANK YOU, Judy!!!!

Friends took the boys to see "Grown-ups 2" at the movies.    We watched the big news event of the royal baby boy's arrival in London.

Grandma and Blair were "bonding" between 1:30-3:30 this morning - she ate, she just looked around, she yawned, Grandma yawned and on and on it went.    Every time I went to put her in her crib, she would cry and since I didn't want to wake the rest of the sleeping house, I picked her up and kept "talking" to her!   She loves to be held, but .....let's do this during the daytime, Sweetie!!! She's like a little doll .....as our Anne said, "after 3 brothers, 2 sons, and 8 nephews, I finally have a niece!"   What a little blessing in pink.

I think about all the fun things we can do thru the years.....shopping, tea parties, playing dress-up, manicures/pedicures, and maybe someday, a trip to American Girl and pick out a dolly (Brooke reminds me that she may not be into dolls as she and Anne were not) - could have a little tomboy on our hands especially with 3 older brothers (also have boy cat and boy dog in this household)!!!

Blair is the 28th great grandchild for Mark's Mom - wow!!!!   (11 girls and 17 boys) and I think of how my Mom would've sooo enjoyed these 3 new babies in the family'
(Leia - great niece, Luke and Blair)!

Grandpa took the boys to lunch and Moo Moo golf.   Really hot here today.   Michael took Brooke on a short shopping trip to Babies R Us.

Few new pics of the grand babies...

Sweet Baby Girl

Luke discovered his toes today!

Big boy in "his" chair

Pretty little lady in raspberry stripes

Blair goes to her 1st doctor appointment tomorrow! Drew comes home late tomorrow afternoon! Yeah!!!

Another delicious meal tonight (chicken enchiladas and banana pudding) brought in by next-door neighbors!

This Grandma is going to bed with the chickens tonight! Ha.....and hoping Miss Blair will not be so wide awake in the wee hours?

Sunday - July 21

Today was Blair's homecoming......she and Mommy arrived home at 10:10

Welcome home Blair

Enjoying the ruffles and "pink"

Little Princess

Mark, Brady and I went to 11:00 Mass at St. Aloysius, picked up lunch at Panera and Salsarita's. Judy and Bob came and friends stopped by. We played euchre with the guys beating us (BIG time) Michael and Davis went to 5:15 Mass and brought home Papa Murphys' pizzas (including an awesome cinnamon dessert pizza).

Looking forward to a very fun week ahead.....

Saturday - July 20

Off and on day at the hospital with Bob and Judy, the boys, Mark and I....some friends stopped by to meet the Princess and give their best wishes to Michael and Brooke! Everyone so excited and happy over this new baby girl.

Rained this afternoon with thunder and lightning. Enjoyed Jason's Deli which Michael, Grandpa and Grand Bob brought to Brooke's room. Davis is at a sleepover with his friend, Jay.

Brooke is doing great - this 4th baby is the charm! Up and around some and as I've said before, she's a trooper!!! So glad we are here to help these next 2 weeks along with her parents!

Blair has so much dark hair just like Drew had as a baby....but Drew is blonde, so who knows???

Proud Daddy and Blair "with all her hair"

Brady and Blair

My Miss Blair....you are so alert and strong holding up your little head on Gram's shoulder

at 1 day old

Luke and family arrived home safely this afternoon! Gosh, makes me very sad that I won't see him till October!!! We had a big sharing of camera cards of all the pictures taken last week - here's sweet Luke on his baptism day...

Little Catholic Baby

Bummer that 3 of our grandsons (Liam, Davis and Brady) got swimmers ear after all the water activities last week. Liam has been to doctor twice, but finally on the mend. Davis and Brady had a lesser case but still hurts! Sure feel for these little guys - earaches are painful!

So enjoying all the e-mails and texts about Baby Blair Bliss.....thank you, dear family and friends!

Friday - July 19

A big "thank you" for all the good wishes! What a happy, thankful day for the blessing of our beautiful granddaughter, Blair Bliss born at 8:14 AM this morning in Hickory, NC to Michael and Brooke. We were so surprised that she weighed 8 lbs as we were all expecting a "small" baby? You just never know!!!! But she is healthy, pink, has lots of dark hair and 21.5" long! Mark and I are thrilled to welcome our first little girl after six grandsons and all these happy years of

"boy stuff"!!!!

What fun Davis and Brady had today with their new sister and late this afternoon, Drew got to meet his sister via face time all the way from Switzerland! Amazing technology!!!

Some asked about Blair's middle name of "Bliss" and yes, it is Brooke's maiden name.

Here are a few photos of our little princess....

Mommy and Blair meeting for the first time

Sweet Baby Girl

Daddy and his little girl

Proud big brothers

Uncle Ryan, Brady and Blair

Grandma and Grandpa with their first little girl

Davis doing a fine job

Bob and Judy (Brooke's parents), Philip, Annette, Luke, Brady, Davis, Mark and I went to ElPaso for supper - great Mexican fare and margaritas with a big toast to Blair!!!!

Philip, Annette and Luke are spending the night and leaving for FL early tomorrow morning. And Ryan left for home after spending some time with his new niece! Sure will miss all our kids....

Everyone is in bed and I'm off to dreamland right now!!!! Thanks again....

Thursday - July 18

Happy Birthday, Brooke

The Birthday Girl and sweet Brady with his new summer "do"

So today is Brooke's birthday and we girls (including her friend, Nonie) enjoyed pampering with manicures/pedicures follow3ed by a grocery run and then delicious fish taco salads at 242. Brooke and I ran several errands, met Grandpa and Brady at Sweet Frog's for a yummy yogurt treats and Brady got a haircut. We finally got home at 4. It is HOT here and what a trooper she is! All week long at the lake with 16+ people hanging out, she enjoyed most all activities and climbed that hill from dock to house with little effort! Amazing!!! And tomorrow......we will welcome our little bundle of "pink" - everyone very excited.

A few more photos from "Family Vacation 2013"...