Saturday - May 31

Wow....can't believe it's the last day of May!    We packed in lots of fun stuff this month for sure......one thing we enjoy about the blog is going thru and reminiscing at all the memories, pictures, etc.    We've used it so often to look something up, check it out for dates, where we ate

 and on and on!  May, 2014 was full of happy times!

 

We all slept in this morning.....yeah!    Blair woke up at 8:15!    Finally, around 9ish the last of the troops came downstairs and the day began with Uncle Phil and Brady off to Krispy Kreme - yum!     Indulged in just one, but some of the healthy, fit gals in the family abstained - talk about will power!!!    Our Krispy Kreme back home seems to be struggling (it's all about Dunkin Donuts), but just built a new store here in Hickory and always busy!

 

Wanted to share this posting on FB from Ryan earlier this week...

I flew AJ Hawk of the Green Bay Packers today, he's a great guy. But this guy Mecryn, who's had 3 chemo treatments already at the age of 4 is a much bigger deal. Humbled to have this job.

 

The guys (Mark, Michael, Philip and Davis) were off to buy a new lawn mower!  

 

I'm checking you out, Uncle Phil - not quite sure just yet!

 

Enjoying cousin Luke's swing in the garage

 

Tonight, Philip and Annette stayed with Davis, Brady and Blair while the rest of us + Bob and Judy went to Drew's 8th grade graduation banquet from Concordia Christian Academy.     The 7th grade students served us wearing white shirts, black pants, colorful suspenders and bow ties.   Dinner was very good (chicken or prime rib) and then the program honoring the students with videos, their thoughts on various topics, etc.   

 

Drew's Gram and Grand Bob

The release of the balloons with the graduates hopes, prayers and dreams inside!

 

Tomorrow is the big day with Brady's First Communion at 9 AM and then

Drew's graduation at 10:30.    

 

 

 

 

 

 

Friday - May 30

Another hot and sunny one here in beautiful North Carolina!    Grandpa was at Chick Filet at 7 AM to pick up 2 trays of mini chicken/biscuit sandwiches for Drew's class breakfast.  Got the troops up, breakfast and out the door with Grandpa (Drew's last day of grade school) at 7:40.    Blair and Grandma had breakfast, got the laundry started (never ending in this house - ha)!     She took a short morning nap.....

Quick picture before the guys are out the door this morning!

Davis and Blair

 

Philip and Annette arrived about 1/2 hour before Michael and Brooke late this afternoon and the chatter began    We had snacks and drinks and then grilled brats and Italian sausage along with baked beans, macaroni salad and deviled eggs.    And all topped off with warm chocolate lava cake (made in the crockpot) and vanilla ice cream.....oink oink!

 

Blair loves her Dolly

Mommy brought Blair her first Mickey Mouse hat (name on back)

After dinner, we all played Blitz with Drew the winner!

 

 

  

 

 



Thursday - May 29

Big news is that Blair's top tooth has come thru!   

 

Mark took the boys to school and then drove to Concord Mills, near Charlotte for Brady's 2nd grade field trip.    They had lunch at the mall and then visited the new aquarium.

 

I exercised and got a bunch of stuff done, including laundry while Miss Blair took an almost 3-hour nap.    She took 2 more little cat naps this afternoon,    Such a sweetie pie and happy little girl.  

 

Our picnic on the porch almost got rained out (at least if it rained and the winds blew like Monday).   It's been threatening

Blair loves her brothers and is so excited when they are around!   

 

My jammies say "I'm Sweet" - sooo true!

 

Nightly game of basketball 

I'm still determined to get thru this gate!

 Brooke's pretty clematis - hope mine looks this good when we get home next week?

 

Got a nice rain this evening along with some thunder and lightning

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Wednesday - May 28

Hot 'n Sunny here today!    Good day to be indoors and that's what Blair and Grandma did!     She's so funny and sweet.....we are having lots of fun!    Up at 6:30 to start the day and got the boys breakfast, lunches made and out the door with Grandpa - Blair woke up around 7:30 and our day was underway!  Grandpa exercised (I did that yesterday) and then tackled his job list.  

 

I did some laundry and had the funniest (well, kind of) lunch as Miss Priss who is a very good eater and usually has her mouth wide open......decided she wanted no part of carrots!    She made these awful faces, kept those little lips firmly together and then started to gag....ok...enough!   Not going there - no way!!!   Blair declared carrots as gross and sent her Mommy this picture...

 

NO more carrots, pleeze!!!!

 

Little Nautical Girl posing with Pooh

Jerry Nibbles (aka as Fat Cat) guarding Drew's project!!!

 

Having a heart-to-heart with Grandpa

 

Taking Dolly for a little stroll!

 

I love my squeaky giraffe, "Sophie"

 

Blair's Auntie Leigh took this picture at the lake on Sunday with Grandpa and Daddy in background!

 

The kids before they left for Florida yesterday - they are having a GREAT time!

 

This afternoon we took Daisy to storage for several months!     Grandpa picked up fried chicken and enjoyed  another picnic supper on the porch!

 

Drew has finished his project and ready to take to school tomorrow - yeah!!!

 

Our day ended with everyone enjoying apple pie and ice cream!

 

 

 

Tuesday - May 27

Hot 'n humid today......boys were off to school, Michael and Brooke off to Orlando, Grandpa ran a bunch of errands, and Blair and Grandma just hung out with laundry, cuddles and play time!   She is a little chatterbox - just babbles on and on!

Pretty baby in purple

Lil' Surfer Girl

After school.....hanging out watching a little TV

BRAAADY.....let me thru this gate!!!    Brady has officially given himself the title of gatekeeper!

The "B's"

Had a real heavy rainstorm and wind around 4:15 - ended quick as it started!    We had tacos and fruit for supper and ate on the porch!   

 Drew is working on his last BIG project of grade school.....poster of his top 5 college choices listing tuition, size, SAT/ACT requirements, best for engineering (his main interest), etc.

Nighty Night......

Memorial Day weekend - 2014

 

Memorial Day - 2014

A tribute and thanks to all the men and women who so valiantly fought for our country!

 

We had a very nice relaxing Saturday and Sunday at Lake James.....can't beat fun family times with Michael, Brooke, the "D's" and"B's", and  Brooke's family (parents, Bob and Judy, and brother Scott, Leigh, Caroline and Cooper) for part of the weekend.

 

Here's a few memories...

 

 2 views of Lake James

 

 

A beauty by  Brooke's Dad!

 

 

On the pontoon (Grandpa, Blair, Davis) after dinner at Bear Creek on Saturday night

 

Caroline and Brady kayaking

 

Taking a little swim on Sunday afternoon

 

 

Bunch of us winding down Sunday night watching NASCAR race from Charlotte

 

Grandpa and Blair hanging out Monday morning

 

Miss Blair sitting on the box of new gate (to keep her from the stairs) that

 Grandpa and Mommy installed

Liam and Connor with their new summer do's - Daddy trimmed their locks and

that's what they're holding!!!   Check out their expressions!

 

Luke hanging out on Memorial Day at his Nana and Grandpa's.

Today would've been Mark's Dad's 93rd birthday!!!  

Sure miss him.....Happy Birthday, Dad, Grandpa, Great-Grandpa Harland

 

So.....the holiday weekend is almost over, but Mark and I are hanging around for another week!   We'll be holding down the fort with the grandchildren while Michael and Brooke are on a business/pleasure trip to Orlando leaving tomorrow till Friday!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Friday - May 23

Beautiful sunny morning.....we exercised, had breakfast and then prepared to leave Annapolis after 5 very fun days!    We left our slip and motored out in the Severn River and just stopped for a bit - at exactly 10:03, we could see the Blue Angels come roaring towards the city and at 10:04 (as planned) they were flying over the US Naval Academy football stadium immediately after the national anthem  where 1,068 graduated as Navy or Marine officers   And then.............poof...off they flew back to Long Island for their show this weekend!   So neat to see them one more time!

 

By bye Annapolis - thanks for a great time and hope to be back later this summer!

 

Good trip back to Oxford (33 miles) with lots of sailors out and about (big race day) flying their colorful spinnakers!

 

Just a few of many sailboats out today

 

We arrived back in Oxford around 2.    Started packing up our stuff to take home.    Tomorrow we are off to NC and plan to be home for most of June.     Walked to Schooners for yummy supper -  another good Orange Crush and more crab (when in Maryland, cannot eat enough).   Beautiful evening!

Wishing everyone a fun, safe Memorial Day Weekend!

Thursday - May 22

Lots of rain early this morning, but then skies cleared.  It was really warm and sunny.    We walked to Chick and Ruth's Delly for delicious breakfast (crab omelet) - this place is an Annapolis institution, but we had never eaten here!    Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, it is a very small diner with signs all over the place and celebrities and important townspeople who have dined there., but wow....what a business they do!    Definitely return here!   

Back to Catrina and I did 3 loads of laundry at the marina Laundromat.    After lunch Mark rode his bike 2+ miles to a marine supply store and I got a manicure.

Clouds rolled in this afternoon and storm predictions with the weather radio going off frequently.   Had some rain, but now out of our area.

Nice B and B  downtown all decked out in American, Navy and Blue Angel flags

One of many signs in a flower garden

We walked to the Chart House (a BIG favorite) for delicious dinner topped off with chocolate lava cake (ice cream and heath bar topping)!   Oh my.............

  

We were surrounded by graduates and their families - tomorrow is the big day

Beautiful sunset over Spa Creek as we were walking back from dinner

Our new neighbor who came in while we were at dinner

The Bella Una - 115' of beauty - sure dwarfed Catrina

Planning to cruise back to Oxford tomorrow after a wonderful 5-day stay in this wonderful town!

LOVE Annapolis!!!

Wednesday - May 21

Dreary day.....got the exercising out of the way and later walked to the Naval Academy.    Stopped at Market House for a deli sandwich to go and got a prime bench seat behind the narrator!!!    Can't beat that.   Pays to get there early as thousands and thousands came out to see the Blues today and what a thrill!   

Today's show was dedicated to Navy Lt. (Seal) Brendon Looney who was killed in Afghanistan on September 21, 2010.   At the end of the show, the 6 pilots flew over with one veering off (missing man formation)  in memory of Lt. Looney.  Very moving.......and then Taps were played!   Oh my....what an ending!

We walked with Ryan to the intramural football field where the Navy helicopter was waiting to take him to Joint Base Andrews.   He flew his jet to Jones Beach (Long Island), NY to prepare for the show this weekend.    The rest of the team will come after the flyover on Friday.

Ryan and Proud Dad

 

Proud Mama with her boy

Walking with Dad to the helicopter

Getting ready for take-off

Lift off.....

Tonight we met friends who live in Annapolis (some of the time) and have a PDQ like Catrina and so travel a lot, too.   Anyway, we met them in Marathon this past January (Charlotte and I had lots of fun in the infinity pool).    Great to catch up with them here and enjoy dinner at Davis' Pub in Eastport (great crab cakes)!   They brought us back to the boat and we yakked some more!    What fun to get together and look forward to next January when we'll meet again (God willing) at  Marathon Marina and RV Resort.

Charlotte and Doug

The 4 of us at Davis' Pub