Monday - July 19

 Happy 8th Birthday to Blair 

The Birthday Girl

So hard to believe this sweet, silly girl (our 1st granddaughter) is EIGHT today!     She is a girlie girl full of vim and vigor with an exceptional vocabulary who loves to dance, dress up and play with her stuffies (especially Pusheen)!    Pink is her favorite color,  is crazy about unicorns and can hold her own with 3 older brothers!

Made some changes to yesterday's blog this morning....events were a bit out of order! 

  Mark and I were off to Hickory and an 8:45 appointment for me to have blood work done at Quest.    Weeeellllll....this is the 2nd time I've had this scheduled (1st time was in Niagara Falls) and both times even though the lab had my orders from the doctor, they could not do the tests because they were not able to access it?      It's a long complicated story that makes no sense and even customer service for their national line was frustrated and confused but is "looking" into the matter.     That being said, I have had it with Quest and now scheduled for another appt. tomorrow (maybe 3rd time will be the charm)?    This will be with LabCorp in Connelly Springs.

So, since we had not had breakfast, we found the Taste Full Beans coffee shop and had avocado toast (me) and burrito for Mark + our coffees.    Cute little shop in downtown Hickory.

Blair is having a birthday party this afternoon from 1-4 at the camp with 16 friends.    Sure hope the rain holds off....been drizzling off and on this morning.

The Birthday Cake (Pusheen)

Michael had a few projects for his Dad to work on and I did 2 loads of laundry.   Said our good byes to Tessa as Drew took her to the airport for flight to Orlando where she's doing a summer internship (Melbourne).

Mark and I went to the camp for the last 45 minutes of the birthday party - kids were having a ball in the pool this humid afternoon but the rain held off!  

Blair and friend Macy

Maeve (2nd from left) and friends making bracelets at the party

From the kiddie party to the family party....another fun night with Mexican fare from Mountain Burrito.  lots of presents to open and awesome "Pusheen" cake and ice cream.

The Munchkins

Opening presents

Grand Bob, Gram and Blair

Blair and her brothers

Davis, Brady and Drew

and

"Squish Mallow"

Blair with her Grandma and Grandpa

And some great games of 4 and 5-handed euchre ended this fun day!

Some more First Communion pics

Brooke's beautiful black-eyed Susans are abundant around their home

Saturday-Sunday, July 17-18

 Whew.....what a weekend celebrating Brooke's 50th and we partied hearty!  Here's how it all came about.

Saturday - Annette fixed us another great breakfast and Maeve and Grandma played hair salon styling her hair and her babies (Montana Faye and Camillia).   

These girls are ready for the beach!

Judy (Brooke's Mom), Theresa, Annette and I took Brooke to Black Mountain for birthday luncheon shopping.    We enjoyed a great lunch at the Veranda and then browsed the shops.

Girl fun at the Veranda

Annette, Theresa, Pat, Judy, Brooke

After we returned from Black Mountain, Judy, Theresa and I played 2 games of RummiKube at Annette's and then we were off to surprise Brooke at a big party with 85 people, food truck, band, northing bundt cakes, a slide show of Brooke's life "thru the years" and lots of beverages.

And then the party began at 5...

Beautiful flowers and bundt cakes

Coozie favors

Michael thanking everyone for coming

Lighting the cake

Big hug for an awesome party

Dancing in the rain

So rain was in the forecast starting around 3ish and into the evening - 70%....ugh!   We all were checking the radar off and on and hoping this big outdoor bash wouldn't be too "soggy 'n wet".

A light drizzle started around 4:30 (all the guests were to be there at 5) and then it stopped for a bit.    Michael, his brothers and boys had erected 4 tents with furniture underneath and plenty of room in the 3-car garage.    Around 7ish,  the rain started and went on thru the night - just a steady downpour, but didn't stop the fun.    GOOD job, Michael and their friend Danyel who did the organizing and putting it all together.

We got back to Philip's around 10 and collapsed!   Fun, fun, fun and tomorrow is the REAL 50th for Brooke, so.....we'll keep on partying (and Monday with Blair and Tuesday with Maeve)

Sunday - 

Happy 50th Birthday, Brooke

 Enjoyed bacon/eggs/toast prepared by Annette.    We went to 11:00 Mass at Our Lady of the Angels in Marion.    Finished packing up our stuff at Philip's and said our good byes to Mike, Theresa and Ryan who are all leaving tomorrow.    Now moving onto Michael and Brooke's for our next 3-day stay at their B & B .   

Hot and sunny afternoon and we hung out on the dock.    Later Michael took Brooke, Drew, Tessa and me on a nice pontoon ride - Grandma fell asleep.    Amazing that there was very little boat traffic today - apparently the threatening weather kept them away which was fine with us.

Drew's girlfriend, Tessa is visiting this weekend so enjoyed plenty of chatter on the dock AND rehashing all the fun memories from last night's party.

Drew and Tesssa

Around 5, the sky was getting darker so we all packed up our stuff and headed up the hill.   Gosh, we were only back a very short time when the heavens opened up.   Smart decision to leave when we did.

We had Roma's pick-up (variety of Italian dishes) for supper.   

Drew, Davis, Blair, Brooke, Michael and Brady

singing Happy Birthday

Have a great week!

 

 

 

 

Friday - July 16

 Very hot 'n humid today - slept in and then enjoyed coffee with Annette and Theresa followed by some of Annette's yummy egg casserole.    Philip and Theresa took off for a 4-mile hike and Annette, Maeve and Grandma went for a much shorter walk.    I vacuumed the car and then Mark and I gave it a good wash.  

The hearty, sweaty walkers 

Let's go walking, Maeve

Annette and Brooke took the kiddos to the camp to swim.    We are staying 3 nights at Philip's and then moving onto Michael's.

Luke to the rescue

Evel Knievel

Holy Cow...

4 Men in the Dog House

Maeve and Luke enjoying some delicious chocolate cake

Mike and Theresa

Had some rousing games of euchre tonight - earlier we played rummikube and the Llama game.    Fun day!    Have a fun, safe weekend!

Our little grand girls last night

Thursday - July 15

 The kiddos slept in till 8:30, we had breakfast at the hotel and then back in the car for last leg of our long journey to Lake James.     We stopped only once at the NC Welcome Center and arrived at Blair's home just before 1:00.   We are thankful to deliver these precious grandchildren safe 'n sound back to their parents.!

Blair was happy to see her Mommy (Daddy is traveling till later tonight), Drew and Brady.   

Then we took Luke home and settled in with our stuff and unloaded his clothes and goodies.    Mike and Theresa (Mark's sister) are visiting from the Chicago area this week so good to see them.    Annette made some delicious flatbread pizzas and we hungry travelers chowed down.

Mark and I took a short nap - the ole bods just needed a little rest after all the go go go....and then we were off for a boat ride (Philip, Annette, Luke, Maeve, Theresa, Mark and me).    Beautiful day on the water but HOT!

Mommy and Maeve

Luke riding the airplane

Captain Philip

The siblings - Theresa and Mark

When we think about all the activities we packed in these past 9 days, well.........no wonder we are tired!   Ha!  But a fun tired for sure.   We enjoyed Niagara Falls, swimming, beach (2x), bowling, candy shop, popcorn store, ice cream, Cedar Shores water park, Cedar Point amusement park, the Arcade and of course, CATRINA!!!!    It's good to be back at the lake with our kiddos.    Michael arrived home later this evening and hope to see Ryan soon!

Wednesday - July 14

 HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CONNOR

The Birthday Boy is 15 today

July 14, 2006, Mark and I welcomed our 5th grandson into the world - Connor Leonard Campbell.    What a delight he has been and grown into a fine young man who is a great student and athlete (golf, baseball and hockey).    Patrick would be sooo proud as we all are!

We did a pump out at the marina and then by 8:15 we were on our way - good trip for Catrina and crew and then we were back "home" in Port Clinton.    Grandpa and the kids walked to Coffee Express and had muffins and drinks.    While they were gone, Grandma finished up the packing and then we loaded up the car and left at 12:15.   Stopped  in Newcomerstown, OH for lunch at McDonalds.  Had 603 miles (total from Fort Clinton to Nebo) and did a big chunk today.     We are in Beckley, WV tonight and walked next door to Bob Evans and had terrible service.    Very S L O W............

Finally back to hotel - family facetime for the kiddos and then with Connor - showers and off to bed.

The Stuffies are ready to roll

Luke is bringing Catrina home

Happy traveler

Peace and Quiet