Monday - September 16

The alarms went off at 4 AM.......up and at 'em and off to catch the 5:00 shuttle to take us to O'Hare.    Good trip to Myrtle Beach on Spirit Airlines (Philip's employer).   We rented a car and drove to Charleston.    Had yummy lunch at Hominy Grill and then checked into the Ansonborough Inn for our one-night stay.   This is Linda and Vicki's first visit to Low Country,

 

Vicki and Linda enjoying some lemonade and cookies on the rooftop of

The Ansonborough Inn on a hot, sunny afternoon!

 

We walked down to the historic district and checked out all the vendors at City Market.   Walked thru Charleston Place to King Street and on down to Kids on King - lots of oohing and aahng over the darling baby/childrens' clothes. 

 

Weather was very threatening when we stepped outside and radar did not look good, so.....had to forego our plans of having drinks/appetizers on the Rooftop of the Pavilion Hotel.   But....ducked into the Low Country Bistro for some really good drinks/appetizers!   Rained while we were eating and then nice walk back to our lovely room and just settling in!   This is a beautifully restored old inn with original brick walls and so charming!    Great first day....

 

Carolina pulled pork nachos - also enjoyed fried green tomatoes, lobster hush puppies and sweet potato fingerling potatoes smothered with cheese, tomatoes, etc.   Everything was excellent!

 

 

Sunday - September 15

Mark and I left for Mendota at 9:45 - stopped to see my cousin, Jim at the Lutheran Home and then Aunt Marian at Stonecroft - so good to see both of them!

 

Pat and Jim 

Aunt Marian 

 

We had lunch at the Whistle Stop, picked Linda up and then Vicki.   Mark drove us in heavy rain to my niece Jennifer's home (Villa Park)- had fun there with sweet Leia, enjoyed visiting, pizza and wine.  Mark drove on home.

 

Grandma Linda and Leia

Sweet happy Leia (5 months)

 

  Jake (Leia's Daddy) took us to O'Hare and we are settled in our hotel room!   It will be an early nighty night time as we have to be up and going at 4 AM for flight to Myrtle Beach and then drive to Charleston.

 

Ryan flew into Carbondale and spoke to the aviation students on Friday at Southern IL University (his alma mater). This is article that was online yesterday.

 

http://thesouthern.com/news/local/elite-pilot-says-siu-put-him-in-the-sky/article_1c59e5bc-1cf5-11e3-a6b1-0019bb2963f4.html

Saturday - September 14

Absolutely gorgeous delay - 70 degrees and sunshine all day long!    The boys were up, had breakfast and out riding their scooters all before 8 AM!     Later they went on a long bike ride with Grandpa and stopped at the Grove Street Bakery for a snack.    I played Candy Land with them and Anne and Patrick stopped by around 11 to pick up their little darlins'.

The bikers

 

Mark and I picked up Ed and Donna Rae for lunch at Schooners (good place to eat here in town AND Oxford, MD - no connection)!    Mark and Ed ran some errands and then we all played dominoes ( I won).    Then home for a short time and off to 4:30 Mass.    Staying in tonight and having some leftovers (been out to eat EVERY night this week and lunch the past 2 days)!!!!   

 

Dear friends....Ed and Donna Rae 

Ed and Donna Rae's pretty patio this spectacular late summer day

 

Tomorrow we're off to Mendota and visit my Aunt Marian and cousin, Jim.       Then Mark will take Linda, Vicki and I to Chicago..........we girls are spending the night at O'Hare and flying out early Monday morning for a fun week in Low Country (Charleston, Savannah, Beaufort and Georgetown)!

Friday - September 13

Friday the 13th, but what a spectacular day....breezy, sunny and 70 degrees!    Fall is in the air...lalala....

 

Exercised and put away more stuff......Mark ran some errands and then we met Roger and Carol at Jim's Steakhouse for yummy lunch, including Bloody Mary's.    Sooo fun to catch up with them....

 

I picked Liam and Connor up from school and they rode their scooters around.   

 

Took Connor to a birthday party - instead of bringing gifts, the family asked that each child donate $5 to benefit a family who have a child fighting cancer....what a wonderful idea!!!   Connor told me he really wanted to help the family so he gave $10 (his own $) - very proud of him!!!

Mark, Liam and I went to Monical's for supper...

Oh my gosh..this is soooo good!

Our family LOVES Monical's.

Boys are having a sleepover - playing Sorry

 

Ryan visited his alma mater (Southern IL University in Carbondale) and spoke to the aviation students today.

Have a fun, safe, relaxing weekend!

Thursday - September 12

We had 3/10" of rain overnight, so made for some easy weed pulling and cleaning up a few flower beds in back yard and trimming the ivy which has really exploded!

What a treat to turn off the air and open the windows!!!    Next few days are to be in the low 70's!

 

I did some laundry and got a manicure/pedicure in the afternoon.  I picked up a few groceries - stuff for Mark next week when I'm off to Low Country.    Mark ran a few errands

Miss Blair out for her morning stroll

 

This afternoon Ryan gave an interview on our local radio station about the Blue Angels!   

  Good job, Sweetie!!

 

We went to dinner tonight at Lucky Garden with long-time friends, Lee and Tamara.    Wow...been 2-3 years since we've been together and so fun to catch up and yak the night away!!!