Lunch with Stella at Cracker Barrel - April 14, 2013

 Grandmother and mom

 Daddy was teasing Stella!

 Waiting patiently for lunch.

 Granddaddy got to feed the baby. Stella ate half of his macaroni and cheese and a whole bowl of strawberries.

 We were about to go shopping at the Yellow Mall at Gaffney.

All smiles when Granddaddy is with Stella.

Easter 2013 at Lake Lure with Stella

 Matthew, Aimee, and Stella spent the Easter weekend at our place in Hendersonville. So we visited with them on Saturday

 Two things to note - Granddad had on his sunglasses and Stella did not have on her glasses. Stella had played with her glasses on the trip up and the right leg had fallen off. We would have to go to CVS and buy a repair kit. But we did and Matthew fixed them.

 Mom is fixing up her hair to make her extra pretty.

 Grandmother with her favorite girl.

 A look at the dock at the park area. It has been fixed up and is very nice.

 We had lunch at Lastrada on the hill in Lake Lure. The pizza was excellent.

 Matthew is getting her started on the playground. She really liked the slide and went down it about 15-20 times. 

 Mom and grandma are watching the proceedings.

 Matthew took these 4 pictures on one of Stella's trips down the slide!!

 And then we went back to " The Village of Wild Flowers". That is what the retirement home park where we have our place is now called. Stella's other grandmother gave her an Easter basket. So we had to open it. Easter bunnies come early in Western NC.

 So much stuff - so much candy!!

She got some new crayons. It was a wonderful day for all of us. 

Joe and Liz's 45th Anniversary Dinner

 We went to Rock Hill to have a anniversary celebration dinner with Joe and Liz. Rock Hill is a good central meeting location. Jan and I started it off by visiting with Matthew's great grandfather, Roy Watkins. Papa is 101 years young. We did not know if he really remembered us but he acted like he was happy to be visited. He just held onto Jan's hand for the entire 20 minutes. He cannot talk because he had throat cancer about 60 years ago. He is quite the nice guy. 

 We started off with lunch at Olive Garden. We then went to Dairy Queen for dessert. Here is Joe and Liz sharing a banana split.

 Jan had a hot fudge sundae and I had a pineapple one.

 Brenda and Gary shared a fudge sundae in a waffle cone.

 Eddie Mack and Joyce had Blizzards. I think we conquered the menu.

 We were on our ways home after about 3 hours of visits.

 We then went to Matthew and Aimee's house. Stella has on her new glasses and she was sitting in her rocking chair went we got there.

 She had had a stomach virus this week and was just recovering. 

 Matthew had just finished his probationary period with Design Lines Inc. and was now a full time permanent employee.

 This picture is a little fuzzy.

 Stella spent lots of time with grandmother.

 She is waiting for Daddy to bring her some supper.

Our Florida Trip - March 2013

 Our Florida trip went from March 6 to March 16, 2013. We had a fantastic time. We started off by spending the night with Aunt Betty on Edisto Beach. From there we went to Jacksonville for a visit with Jeff and family. They were all well. Jan got sick with a "bug" and spent Saturday in bed. But by Sunday she was ready to go - though at a slower pace.

 We had lunch with Rick's two girls on Sunday. They are Jada (9) and Layla (12). Rick was in Orlando doing Spring Training with the Atlanta Braves.

 The girls are doing well in school and are taking gymnastics.

 Their mom, Rebecca, came by and picked them up after lunch. We had not seen the girls in almost two years.

 On Sunday we checked into the Marriott Inn at Fernandina Beach. Our room was superb. We started our Road Sholar program that night. Jan is with her classmates and sorority mates from Central Methodist University. Jan had not seen Laura  (on the left) in 53 years. Anina was her roommate in her junior year. Seeing the two friends was the reason we went on the trip. We are about to get on the boat for a short trip to Cumberland Island.

 Here are Dick and Anina and Dave with Laura.

 There are thousands of live oak trees on the island.

 This is the gateway to the estate of Andrew Carnegie. It is called Dungeness. The mansion burned down. The island and estate have a most interesting history.

 A front view.

 A view from the back side.

 More trees

 We walked about 4-5 miles on the island. We were pooped out.

 On Tuesday we took a bus tour of Amelia Island and Fernandina Beach. This is a beautiful Episcopal Church downtown.

 We had to eat some ice cream.

 In the afternoon we toured Fort Clinch. The sergeant was a riot. He was funny and full of himself.

 A wind blown Grayson!!!!!

 Resting after the tour.

 On Wednesday we took a boat tour around the island. You can see the light house in the background.

 We had lunch at a nice restaurant on the water after our trip.

 The lunch was good. After lunch, I played golf and Jan read and rested.

 On Thursday we went to Okefenokee Swamp. The temperature was about 35F. We nearly froze.The boat guide and driver is standing on the bog which is actually floating on the water. I just wanted him to get in the boat and take me to a warm place.

 Yes, that is an alligator.

 Thawing out - but not smiling!!!

On Friday morning we had to say good bye to our new friends. They were so kind and gracious to include us in their vacation plans.