Jack and Sam go camping!!!

John and I got to have them for the week.....and it started with rain at StoneBridge Campground in Maggie Valley, NC.  So we delayed our trip for one day and went to Jones Gap State Park instead..... lots and lots of rocks to climb and trout to feed!  This is clearly a boys idea of a good day!!

The next day we are off on an adventure and did we get lucky!!!! The weather was perfect plus the campground was all that we had hoped it would be and more, we all had a WONDERFUL time. 
Ladder ball, lots of pool time, a new friend named Dakota, Chicken Fluffer and Noodle Face, games and more games, lots and lots and lots of bicycling, .....we are such a lucky Nana and Papa!

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Time flies much too quickly!!!

When you are young you think you have all of the time in the world!!  And then 50 years pass and you wonder where all of that time did go.  Well about 50 years has passed since the Hunter family became a part of our family.  And then there were camping trips and weddings and babies and relocations and divorces and deaths and weddings and babies and life goes on and on.  And if you are lucky you survive and celebrate the fact that we are still family and enjoy an occasion to remember the journey together.  This year Jane blessed us in a big way by inviting us to get together at the farm.  We have all heard stories of the farm and I have been lucky enough to visit her there many times but this year everyone got to spend a lazy couple of days there.  Will and his son Reid joined us and took folks on ATVs to tour the property.  It was a wonderful time of good food, good stories and great new memories. 

 

She was GLOWING!!

When Elissa graduated from UNCG with her masters she was actually glowing.  She had overcome the typical obstacles but there were additional challenges that had tried to trip her up and she would have none of it.  Between the financial challenges, juggling life with two active children, the commute to Greensboro and an unexpected move to Raleigh she had her hands full but perseverance is almost her middle name and there was never a doubt that she would run the course.  I am so incredibly proud of her and was thrilled that she decided to walk for graduation and give us the chance to celebrate her.  Chip, Celia and Lily put together a lovely party and a great time was had by all.  Yeah Elissa!!!!!  Can't wait to see what you do next!!!!!!!

The kiddos

I stopped in Raleigh on the way home to check in with the girls.  Celia and Lily posed for this "ninja, strike force, scary picture" for me before I headed home.  The morning light was hitting Lily's fist which makes it seem so much more scary!!!!  Makes me smile...

  And John and I were able to take the boys camping at Lake Hartwell during their spring break. They learned the art of helping out because there is lots to do when you are camping and they were great to do their part.   The weather was perfect for a hike in the woods and lots of card games at night.  Good times!!

Hilton Head

 

John and I had never visited Hilton Head so we decided to stop on our way home this year.  Of course we were not disappointed!  We were taking a selfie with an impressive marina in the background and a kind woman offered her assistance with photography.  I thought they were both pretty good shots!!

I saw this marvelous oak tree and had to get a shot with John there to show it off.   And of course we found a beautiful beach that went on forever.  It was fun to grab a picture of a shadow kiss on the beach.  It must have been a good kiss because as you can see he knocked my shoes off.....

 

Orlando Eye

Anyone who knows me well knows that I don't like roller coasters, PERIOD.   But the Orlando Eye intrigued me.  It is a very slow moving, air conditioned booth that rises like a Ferris wheel and gives you a birds eye view of not only downtown but vistas as far away as the space coast.  So when Maureen visited us last winter we decided that we would do it together and I held her to it.  I just loved it and the fact that we were buzzed by a helicopter made it all the more delightful.

Friendship is an incredible thing

What makes a long lasting friendship? The answers are many and varied but I do know that I am grateful for my friendships that have stood the test of time and distance and life changes.  Linda and Ken are wonderful friends who are there if you need them and when lots of time passes between visits we catch up like it was only yesterday.  Linda retires this spring and is starting a new chapter and I am thrilled for her.  She has been there for me in large and small ways and I will be forever grateful.

  I feel like I have known Keith and Julie forever. Keith and I started out as pen pals more than 50 years ago and we have stayed in touch throughout all of my moves (although he did say that it was easy  because I just kept sending them those Christmas cards).  Life is not the same because Parkinsons challenges everything but his spirit is the same and we love visiting with them.  BTW the beaches in Naples are simply beautiful!

And then right before we left for the winter we were able to get together with friends from Brandon.  My does time fly!!!  We are so blessed!!!!!!