Sunday - May 31

 Busy day....starting with the 4 of us going to Black Mountain (Mark and Blair in one car; Brady and me in another).    First stopped at Dripolator for coffee/pastries, then drove around and showed the kids, Givens Highland Farms where we plan to live someday.

Then to 11:00 mass at St. Margaret Mary in Swannanoa.   And finally to My Father's Pizza and Pasta Pub for lunch - yummy!     Said our good byes to Brady as he headed back to the lake and we drove to Morganton.  

Mark, Pat, Blair, Brady

  At 3:00, Blair had a private session with Chase from the University of Cincinnati (sophomore on the cheer squad).    It was fun watching her do her thing - very proud of what she's accomplished and she loves it!!!

Wow.....impressed with her gymnastic skills

At 4:15, we left Morganton and "Port Clinton here we come"....well, that'll be tomorrow.    We had dinner in Wytheville, VA at Cracker Barrel and are staying overnight in Beckley, West Virginia.    Mark caught just a little bit of family zoom.    Blair and I had trouble getting into our room with the keyless entry (phone)....again just like last time.   Apparently they've changed something?    ARGHHHH!!!!!    Mark to the rescue!

Have a great week.....bye bye May!

Saturday - May 30

 Rained some in the morning....very humid but the sun came out at 10:30.

Mark worked on installing the last 2 thermostats.   I did 3 loads of laundry and started packing up our stuff for the trip (with Blair) back to Port Clinton tomorrow (part way).

Brooke called from Lucerne - they are having a ball in this beautiful city.    Michael said it's probably the most beautiful city he's visited (and he's been to a lot)!

Brady got home around noon - he and Davis had a great time at the hockey game last night and very excited their Hurricanes are going on to play Las Vegas for the Stanley Cup.

Mark, Brady, Blair and I left on the boat at 12:30.   We dropped Blair off at the Camp to hang out with her friends and we went onto Bear Creek for lunch.   We all enjoyed our lunch and the pretty scenery - we've not been on the lake for at least 3 years, so a big improvement to Bear Creek at the marina just this year....

Captain Brady

Brady, Grandma, Grandpa

Bear Creek

Blair had a fun afternoon with her friends - she's packed and ready to roll outta here tomorrow after her cheer stunt lesson

Friday - May 29

 A beautiful summery day.    We were off at 7 AM with Blair to Liberty Middle School for her last 1/2 day of 7th grade.

Mark and I went to Waterbean Coffee for coffee and shared a bagel.  Then back to school for her 7th grade awards ceremony.   Blair got straight A's for the school year and a few other awards.   This timeframe (9:30-10:30)_was for the 7th graders (6 classes)  

We ran a few errands as Blair stayed at school till 11:30 dismissal.    Back to pick her up and onto Town Tavern to meet judy and Bob (Brooke's parents) for lunch and a fun visit.   

Blair with her grandparents

Our rising 8th grader

Brady left at 3 to visit brother Davis near Winston-Salem.   They drove to Raleigh to see the hockey game and Brady is spending the night with Davis.

We had leftovers with Blair and also enjoyed a trek down to the dock/water - beautiful evening.

Anne got her stitches out this afternoon and Dr. Su said "no melanoma" and she is good to go1    Very thankful for this news!

Enjoy your weekend!

Thursday - May 28

 Brooke took Blair  to school for her last full day of 7th grade.   Rain was in the forecast this morning, but missed us and was a nice sunny, warm day.    Michael and Brooke left for their European river cruise at 10 - Brady took them to the Charlotte airport.    They will spend a few days in Switzerland before boarding the ship.

Philip, Annette and kiddos flew to IL yesterday and Luke and Maeve will stay with their other grandparents (Judy and Dave) while Philip and Annette do the river cruise.    There are a total of 33 going from Lake James and beyond with some side trips planned.

Mark and I will hold down the fort with Brady, Blair and Millie till we take Blair to Catrina on Sunday.

Last night Michael and Brady were watching the Carolina Hurricane play and beat the Montreal Canadiens 4-0.   They were screaming and yelling....the Hurricane are up 3-1 and tomorrow night, Brady and Davis plan to be in Raleigh for game 5.

Liam arrived in Minnesota (suburb of Minneapolis) this afternoon and will start his summer internship on Monday.   He is living with his freshman roommate's family.

Brady drove us (and Blair) to Morganton and dinner at The Madness, a burger and sushi place that opened exactly 1 year ago today.    It was very good.

Pat, Blair, Brady, Mark

Wednesday - May 27

 The rain held off till 4 today.....we've had almost 6" since we got here last Friday.   It was a fun day for us....Mark worked on the thermostats again and Brooke and I visited till she got ready to run errands and pick Blair up after school for gymnastics and a meeting.

Brady was off to play golf with a friend in Morganton.    Mark and I drove to Marion and met friends, Bev and Jim for lunch at Smokey Q's.   Oh what fun to catch up with these folks who we met in  August, 2018 in Brewerton, NY when they were starting their Erie Canal boat travels and we were finishing.    Then in October of  '18, we visited them in their lovely home in the mountains near Marion.   Wow....almost 8 years and they are just as fun and interesting as ever.    They also have a travel trailer and planning to spend 2 months out west this summer.

Bev and Jim

Stopped at Lowe's for some screws Mark needed (another project at Michael's) - he likes to keep busy while he's here and his boys manage that just fine!   😂

Brady and Grandpa did more with the thermostats - not the easiest job but these newer models are definitely more challenging.

Brooke made another yummy dinner - chicken in a wonderful sauce with pasta and fresh asparagus!    We watched the YouTube video of the 2026 commencement speech at University of North Carolina given by North Carolina native, singer and songwriter, Eric Church.    Mark and I had heard it a few weeks ago - it is phenomenal and highly recommend you watch and/or listen to it.

Michael, Brooke, Millie, Blair, Brady