Thursday - April 14

We left Lake James after saying good bye to Philip, Annette and Luke at 9:40 AM.....we sure enjoyed our week at the new home on the lake with all the amenities and beautiful views.    It really worked out well for all as we could be there for workers to come and go, furniture delivered and check out this 'n that and make sure everything was in working order.   And Michael and Brooke could be doing their thing at home/work.   A win win for all!

 

We had a nice leisurely trip stopping in Newport, TN (I got a pedicure and Mark filled Daisy with gas).    Mark took us back down memory lane thru Sevierville and all the hustle and bustle of when we were here in 2007 (family vacation in the Smokies).    Lots and lots of traffic for a Thursday afternoon when school is still in session?    What a beautiful area for a vacation destination!

 

We arrived at Whispering River Resort in Walland, TN at 3:00.   This is a pretty little valley we are nestled in between 2 mountain ranges.  

 

Whispering River Resort

 

  Took a short walk later and happy to be here for the next 3 days.   Tomorrow we'll hang out with long-time boating friends along with Philip, Annette and Luke for the Blue Angels practice at the

Great Smoky Mountain Air Show

 

 

 

Wednesday - April 13

Our sympathy to Annette and her parents as her Grandma Dottie died today at the age of 90.   

 

Lively household with a 2-year old and a "new" 3-year old running around.     Philip, Annette and Luke ran a few errands, Grandpa and Blair enjoyed the swing and I got more stuff organized on Daisy.   Then we 3 went for a short ride on the Polaris to look at new homes.    The kids brought Jersey Mike subs home for lunch. 

 

We "all" played "Hide 'n Seek" in the house and what a bunch of giggles from Luke and Blair!

 

Brooke came out in late afternoon - helped her unpack and Mark picked up supper from Roma's (local family owned and operated Italian place - really good food)!

  

The Princess swinging in the woods

 

Luke closes his eyes counts to ten and then runs off to find whoever is hiding!

 

 Hard to believe that our week here is almost over and tomorrow we'll be moving on to Knoxville.   Looking forward to Michael, Philip and families and us going to the air show to see Ryan and the Blues perform this weekend!

 

 

 

 

 

Tuesday - April 12

Rained over night and light mist this morning.....after breakfast, Philip and Mark were off to run errands.   I got Daisy and our clothes somewhat organized.   We are spoiled this week living in our spacious guest room (love it)!!!    Annette and I did some laundry and I caught up on e-mails.

 

After the rain, it was just a very pretty spring day with a high of 70 and lots of sunshine.    Mark and Philip returned around 1:45 and had Miss Blair with them.   She's going to spend the night with us.   After naps, we all went outdoors - absolutely gorgeous and the kiddies ran and ran!

 Luke and Blair on the run...

A rare moment of sitting still!

Walking down the road with Auntie Annette

We sat on the screened-in porch - what a perfect late afternoon.   Cleaned out the fridge tonight of leftovers, got the kiddies a bath and Grandma and Grandpa collapsed!   
Fun day at Lake James 

 

Liam and Connor went on a 4th-5th grade field trip to Springfield today.
Anne was one of the chaperones.

Boys at the Lincoln Museum

Played euchre at night with Mark and I winning 2 out of 3 !

 

Monday - April 11

Temps were in the 60's today, windy and sun off and on (mostly off)!    Annette fixed delicious breakfast sandwiches and around 10:30 we were all off to Morganton.    The guys had several stops to pick up this 'n that for projects here at the house.    Looked at beautiful furniture at Patterson's downtown and had a great lunch at Root and Vine, then a treat for Luke at the bakery.    One more stop at Tractor Supply and we were back home around 2:30.

Yummy lunch at Root and Vine

 

Luke Annette and Grandma took naps and the guys got to work on their projects.    Annette and I played 2-handed euchre and the guys went to Marion for more stuff and brought back dinner from Jalapeno's Mexican Grill where we went Friday night for Luke's birthday...

 

Few pics from a few days ago...

 

Luke and Davis

Here come the troops running down the hall

Blair in the lead, then Brady and finally Luke!

 

 

 

 

 

Saturday-Sunday, April 9-10

Saturday -

 

 HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ANNETTE !

The Birthday Girl

Drew and Davis enjoying the new putting green 

Last night's sunset 

Annette supervising play doh central!!!

Our Lake Worth crew

 

Having a great time at Lake James and extra special that we can share Annette's birthday with her (and Luke's yesterday).    Today was extremely windy and cold.    Mark left early for Brady's soccer game with Michael following later (after breakfast with Philip and Drew at Elliott's) for the 11:00 game.

 

Brooke and Brady came to the lake around 12:30, followed by Judy and Bob!   Judy and I played some 2-handed euchre (she trounced me)!   The guys and Annette played poker.   Philip prepared some delicious ribs on the green egg and along with all the other fixin's we had a great 1st family dinner at the big house!

 

We had birthday cake with Annette and then after dinner,

Judy, Mark, Philip, Davis, Brady and I played  "Family Business".

 

Sunday -  Mark and I went to 9:00 Mass at St. Charles Borromeo in Morganton and the guys went at 11 in Marion.   

 

A leisurely afternoon with everyone (except Grandma, Luke and Blair) going by boat or car to Camp Lake James.

 

Pretty day with no wind and 57.   The Newton crew left around 5 for home.    Played euchre with Philip and Annette and then went for a nice long walk - so peaceful and pretty up here - soaking up all this water and mountain beauty.

 

Sweet North Carolina blooms

 

Going for a ride in the Polaris

 

Did face time with Liam, Connor and Auntie Anne