Friday-Sunday, April 30-May 2

 We had such a fun weekend and arrived back at KK around 1:30 this afternoon.   Here's how it all went...

Friday - we had a zoom session with Luke and Blair's 2nd grade class at Morganton Day School in NC for GrandFriends Day.    Got to see the kiddos, they saw us and we had a little art project together.   We also saw the other family grandparents - Bob, Judy, Judy and Dave.   Then it was Maeve's turn with her Pre-4K class.    They were introduced individually, sang a little song, put on a cute skit "The Hungry Caterpillar" and then said good bye.    Fun time and so good to see the little ones, their classmates, teachers, etc.

At 1, we drove to Busy Corner to pick up 2 pies (Door County Cherry and Coconut Cream - #1 seller) and onto Mendota.    Stopped at Bob and Linda's with the pies, chatted a bit and then off to Sublette to visit my parents graves and see the new basket of spring flowers which had been delivered just a week ago.  Then to Dixon and first stopped at Molly (niece) and Ryan's new home.    Very nice and recently painted - charming and they are so happy,    Ryan is the guy who was so very sick last fall with pancreatitis, but doing well now!     Enjoyed our visit with them - Jim and Lydia also there to see the new home.

Ryan and Molly

Stopped at Oakwood Cemetery to visit Mark's parents and sister Carol's grave sites.  Karen (Mark's youngest sibling) offered her home for 13 of us to be together for 1st time in a long time and what fun we had.     Jim and Lydia supplied the delicious food from Basil Tree and along with wine and other beverages, topped off with their son Paul's excellent turtles, we were stuffed and happy.    Big thanks to Jim, Lydia and Auntie!!!    So many conversations floating around, so good to "hug" and catch up on our families and any other topic we we could think of - NEVER a lapse in conversation with this group.    We missed Theresa, Nancy, Sharon and Tom + spouses!   

Pat, Mark, Marilyn, Lydia, Joe, Joan, Janet, Doris, Rich, Tom, Mike, Jim and our photographer,
 Karen (Auntie)

 Around 8:15, we started trickling out of there.  The next time we're together should be October 2 for niece, Lisa's wedding.  Drove back to Mendota, visited with Bob and Linda and then we were all tired, so off to bed....

Saturday - up by 7 as Linda and I had a shopping trip in store.    Breakfast with the guys and we were off to Eureka and Scottwood Floral (Linda had never been).    I was just here with Mark last Saturday, but such a pretty place to just wander around sipping my latte.    Linda was impressed and then we drove to Princeton (Annette's hometown).    Met Shmoo (Annette's Mom - "Judy") at Spoons and had lunch - neat old building with brick walls, tin ceiling, etc.    Very good lunch and great to catch up with Shmoo - really glad she could join us today on short notice.     Said our good byes to her and then Linda and I had fun shopping for shoes, floral arrangements and clothing.    We had good luck and lots of fun.    Onto Mendota and arrived around 3:15.

Linda, Pat and Shmoo at Spoons

Bob and Mark spent the day siteseeing in the country and Mark remembering various farms, who lives where, etc.    He really enjoyed Bob's little tour.

My cousin Dick and Mary came around 4:30 - great to see them and catch up.    The guys sat in the living room and we gals were on the porch enjoying our wine/cocktails and watching The Kentucky Derby.   After seeing all the pretty dresses and beautiful hats, Linda, Mary and I decided it would be really fun to attend a Derby, sip mint juleps and hang out with the rich and famous and others like us - ha!    However, we can only imagine how hard it would be to get tickets.    I'm going to check with Mark's sister, Sharon who lives in Louisville and see what is all involved.

 It was a crazy windy day all day but warm in the low 80's!     Bob grilled out delicious marinated pork chops.  Linda made cheesy potatoes and Mary, a layered lettuce salad.   I brought rolls from Great Harvest and then we played euchre with the guys winning in a close game.   First time we've actually "played" euchre with cards in well over a year - doing everything on the computer these days thru Trickster euchre.   Then it was pie time which came from BC - said our goodbyes with hugs, pictures and hopefully do this again in September.     Great ending to a really fun day!

Cousin Dick and Mary

Sunday - sunny nice day but windy again and seemed to get stronger as the day went on.    We had a leisurely morning visiting with our coffee and then coffee cake, muffins and fruit.    Linda took me to their basement and we talked about all the "stuff" we have - she's having a big garage sale in a few weeks.    Said our good byes to Bob and Linda with a tentative plan to get together in Frankenmuth, MI in early September. 

Bob and Linda (and pretty new arrangement - 1 of 2 on either side of garage she bought yesterday)

  Then we stopped to see Aunt Marian who was not able to be with us last night as she had family visiting from Florida.    Always a treat to spend time with her - such a sweet lady who told us she'll be giving up her driver's license in November when she turns 93.     Good for her to make that decision and not have it forced upon her!    We took her some pie from last night and as always enjoyed our visit - hope we can get together in September when we're back in IL.

Aunt Marian

Onto Kamp Komfort, unpacked the car, had a little lunch, took a nap, put our stuff away and worked on the blog.    We went to Mass via Holy Cross in Boston with Father Thomas Rafferty.

Dinner was so good again tonight - Linda sent  home pork chops and cheesy potatoes.   I made a salad and we were happy campers!

Zoom tonight with 10 siblings (missing Janet and Jim).    For the first time (ever)?  there was no talk of Covid!    Alleluia!   Theresa's brother-in-law and wife (Tom and Jan) were with us for a bit.    They are visiting from AZ.    

One more week here in IL and it's going to be a busy one with more socializing, dr. appts., etc.  

Enjoy your week ahead and stay safe and healthy!  





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