Tuesday - November 23

 Bright 'n sunny 'n chilly morning here at the lake.    Brooke was off with the "B's" for final school day before long weekend.    I wrapped some presents and did 2 loads of laundry.

Mark worked on new thermostat in Brady's room, Davis slept in and Michael worked out at the camp.  Today was a special luncheon for Luke and Blair's 3rd grade class with parents.    Philip was called into work early this morning so he couldn't be there, but Michael, Brooke and Annette enjoyed that.

Mark and I went to Ryan's for lunch....good to visit with our kids one-on-one.    When we got back to the cottage, we fixed cups of tea - our FL blood has not acclimated to the colder temps yet.

 Quiet afternoon with the sunshine streaming in all the windows.   I read and Mark did some computer work.   Definitely chilly here with lows in the 20's and today only got to 45.

We all went to Brady's first basketball game of the season at Newton-Conover.    He is so fun to watch - lightning quick speed, spins around, backhand toss.   Although they lost 57-50, Brady scored 17 points.    Bob and Judy (Brooke's parents) were there and afterwards we went to Dos Amigos for great Mexican fare and on home.

Brady coming down the court

Davis and Blair in front of the pretty tree at Dos Amigos.

Blair's new cotton candy sneakers

Monday - November 22

 Rainy start to the day,    Brooke was off with Brady and Blair at 7:15.   School drop-off, Pilates class, grocery shop, etc. was her morning.   Michael was at his in-home office by 6:30 and Grandpa and I enjoyed a leisurely morning.   He did his weights and we watched the very sad, unbelievable news from Waukesha.    How can such a horrific tragedy occur in our great country.   Innocent children and families enjoying their Christmas parade and then horror struck?   Day after day, so much ugliness and evil going on.....🙏🙏🙏       We have so many blessings to be thankful for this Thanksgiving but the news media seems to always focus on the negative.

Lots of beauty here at Lake James

  

 

One lonely boat on the chilly water

 

And the roses are still in full bloom

We helped Brooke put the groceries away and then we were off to Candler (suburb of Asheville).    We were meeting JoAnn and Buddy our neighbors across the street in Cypress Trail at their lovely home high high high up in the mountains!    They have mountains totally surrounding them!    Great visit and delicious dinner.    We sure look forward to their return in late December.

JoAnn and Buddy

Back to Lake James (1 hr. 15 min) and Michael texted us to come to Ryan's.    These little darlins were there along with Ryan's pretty tree.

Maeve and Luke

And just minutes after we arrived, Davis drove in from NC State for the holiday weekend!

Davis is chillin' after the 3+ hour drive from Raleigh

My 3 Sons

Philip - Michael - Ryan

Brooke was in town with Blair for musical theater after school and then picking Brady up from basketball practice; Annette had school stuff she was busy with, so....rest of the gang congregated at Ryan's where they enjoyed Mexican.    

 

Sunday - November 21

 A lovely fall day in NC....no wind and pleasant temps in the 50's.    We went to 9:00 Mass at St. Charles Borromeo in Morganton, then stopped at Ingles for a few things and enjoyed our Starbucksw coffees/pastries (apple fritter for Mark and croissant with chocolate drizzle for me)!

On home, changed clothes and Mark, Michael, Blair and I went for a walk on the trail.    This is where Mark and I spent so much time in the spring of 2020 when we were staying here.    Now with so many leaves down, it was a great hike hearing the crunch of those leaves as we walked along.     Last May Mark and I decided we wanted to donate a bench for the trail (for folks to rest - like we enjoy doing).    The bench (thru Michael's friend, Jeremy) was ordered in May, but didn't arrive till October.    Here it is....

Love it!

Trying out the new bench

Michael and Blair (makes a great napping place, too)!

Great day for a hike

Michael and Mark

Pretty girl in pink with matching roses

Congratulations to Liam who was inducted into The National Honor Society today!

Way to go, Liam!!!

Proud Mama and Liam

Patrick is beaming from the heavens!

Liam and Auntie Karen (Godmother)

Connor had a reaction to the flu shot (yesterday), so he's been to urgent care and lying low today!

Philip and Annette threw a great party outdoors this afternoon - big bonfire, football on the big screen, lots of food and drink and visiting.    

Mark and Ryan watching football on the big screen

A small sampling of all the food

Some of the guys gathered around the game

10 siblings tonight on zoom - missing Marilyn and Nancy.

Have an awesome week!

 

 

Saturday - November 20

 Another bright, pretty day and awesome for traveling.    We were on the road by 7:30, stopping at Starbucks near our hotel for a peppermint mocha to go.     Mark ordered online and it was ready when I walked in - 1st time to do that!   They tell you the time it will be ready (wouldn't want to order too soon and it's sitting there getting cold)!   😀

We stopped at Cracker Barrel in Orangeburg, SC for breakfast around 9ish and then back on the road.    Traffic was heavy....I worked on my grocery list along the way and again, we shared the driving.

Brady had a scrimmage in Marion with McDowell High School basketball team.   Turns out he was due back in Morganton at 1 at his high school so worked perfectly for us to pick him up and could catch up enroute to Chick-fil-A and then on home.     He's doing well in school, with the team, etc.    1st game is Tuesday night.

Onto Lake James - the fall colors here in NC are sooo pretty - amazing this late in the season but with the sun shining...oh my!    Love it!    Good to see Michael, Brooke and Blair.    We unloaded the car and settled in at the cottage (just like coming home as this is where we stayed for 10 weeks during the pandemic).   

Never tire of these views!

Michael, Brooke and Blair were off to a birthday party at friends....we just hung out and glad to be off the road and chill a bit.    Brady watched college football games.

Went to the camp tonight for their turkey dinner with all the fixin's and it was wonderful.    Lots of heaters going + a roaring fire....

Good to be with our 3 boys, Annette, Brooke and the 3 littles - Blair, Luke and Maeve.    Plus visit with several of our kids friends!    A really nice evening and great start to kick off this busy week (and all the eating)!!  😋😋😋

Friday - November 19

 We were up early and on the road by 7:30 heading to Beaufort, SC.    Had some misty rain here and there, but nothing much and then bright sunny skies rest of the way (5-hour trip) from Titusville.

Along the way we stopped in Daytona Beach at Buc-ees.    Have heard of these (mainly in Texas) but never been.    Weeeelllll....this was an experience that was totally mind boggling!    A gas station/mini mart on very heavy steroids - humongous, ginormous with everything imaginable.   You could spend the day here shopping, eating, etc.    There were 100 gas pumps (no semis allowed).  49 miles further north was another Buc-ees south of St. Augustine.

What a place!

Mark and I LOVE Beaufort and this is our 9th visit here (more by boat than car).    We walked downtown and had a light lunch at Common Grounds Coffeehouse - chicken noodle soup for Mark and we shared a very delicious grilled cheese + coffee.    Then we parted ways and I browsed the shops and he went back to the car to read.     We've seen several little towns all decked out for Christmas with their street lamps so pretty with wreaths, candles, etc.    This town is just as charming as ever and thriving with all the tourists.   

Back to the car to get Mark and we walked along the waterfront - what a gorgeous day....low 60's and full sunshine!   Many people out and about, swinging in the many swings along the water, walking, eating, and enjoying all the boats where we have fond memories of Catrina here.    

Many of these swings along the water

Got the car washed and checked into our hotel to relax a bit.    And then we were off meet Barb and Dave at Saltus River Grill for dinner.     Barb and Mark worked together at State Farm.    They retired in 2017 and now live in the Beaufort area.   We had a wonderful visit in this awesome place - loved the music, too.   And oh my............excellent dinner (Mark and I both had the crispy flounder).   As many times as we've been in Beaufort, we hadn't eaten here - well, that will change next visit!    Ha...

Dave and Barb

We are 297 miles to Lake James..........yeah!    Can't wait to see our kiddos - big 'n small!

Enjoy your weekend!