Thursday, 4/4/24, Ate breakfast l at our hotel, traveled to New Bern, went shopping, stopped and saw Christopher, checked into our hotel

Beautiful blossoms on the trees 

Palm trees in the yard at a house down the road from Chris.  

The lobby and breakfast area at our hotel.

 We got ready, then went and ate our continental breakfast at our hotel at 7:30.  It was delicious with lots of food to choose from.  Bill drove and I napped for a while.  I drove the last hour, but switched with Bill when we got to our destination, the Clarion Point Hotel.  We got here at 11:25 a.m.  It was too early to check in so we went shopping.  We went to an amazing Hallmark Store and to Walmart.  Bill decided to drive to see where the military base Chris’s retirement will be at is.  He lives pretty close to the base, so we decided to drive by his house.  He has mov since we visited last, so we wanted to know we wanted to know where it is before we go there tomorrow.  He was walking out of the garage when we went by and recognized our car, so waved.  We went around a circle drive and pulled in his driveway.  We got out and gave him hugs and talked for a while.  He showed us all the work he’s done in the back yard, which we’ve been watching him do on Facebook.  It is just amazing!  Kylon who’s six came outside and walked with us.  Zayden came out too, but didn’t like the bright sun shining in his eyes .  He said hi and went back in.  We talked a few minutes more, than said goodbye.  He told us he loved us when we left.  He invited us over later, but Angie, his Grandma is flying in at 4 and we’re waiting to hear what she wants to do.  We came and checked into our hotel, then relaxed for a couple of hours.  Saw on Facebook that Carla has a three hour delay,  Mike and Jean had a 2 hour delay on and Bob and Hailey have a delay too.  We went to Applebee’s to eat at 7:30. We were waiting because Chris had invited us back over tonight, but we were waiting to see how tired Angie was going to be.  We talked to her while we were eating and she and Ray weren’t even in New Bern yet but we’re on their way.  Winds, rain and freezing rain caused all the delays.  Applebees was right down and from our hotel, so we ate and came back to our room. Pam had to work from her hotel room.  Happy we at least got to see Chris and the boys. It was Chris’s birthday today so got to wish him Happy Birthday in person.  We bought three cards and a cute prism dangle at Halmark.  I was looking at it in our room and packing it nicely to give Chris’s wife Angie. and looked at the receipt.  The girl didn’t charge us for it. Glad it’s just across the road from us so we can go pay for it in the morning.

I got to face time with Vikki and Rehvyn today.  That made my day!

Wed., 4/3/24, packed last minute things and then left for N. Carolina

Kimmy sent me this cute picture of Rehvyn

Just about through Ohio

My handsome driver

Cool bridge 

Blossoms were beautiful 

Tunnel through the mountain 

Yay, made it to N. Carolina

Pilot Mountain in the distance 

Close up

Our hotel in Kernesville, N. Carolina

Ate at a Chic-Fil-A near our motel

Bill looking handsome in his Marine hat

I made two containers of egg salad before I went to bed last night.last night.  Got up early this morning so I could make 4 sandwiches for our trip.  Made coffee, then got ready.  Did the last minute things on my list.  Bill took his shower, got ready, loaded the rest of the stuff in the car, then we left for N. Carolina to go to our great nephew’s 20 yr. Retirement ceremony from the marines. He’s retiring as a Sargent 1st Class. 

Bill drove the first 3 1/2 hours, we stopped to get gas, ate our sandwiches and some chips, and then I drove the next 3 1/2 hours.  We went on some beautiful hilly and curvy back roads.  We stopped again and ate another sandwich. They sure tasted good.  He drove the rest of the way.  We found a nice hotel at a good price . We checked in, took our stuff in, then went to a Chic-Fil-A for chicken strip meals.  They were so good.  It was after 8 when we were done, so came back and relaxed in our hotel. It was a great ide today with warm weather and everything nice and green along the way.  Beautiful flowers where we are now.  

Fun day of travel and talked to Melissa, Kimmy, Vikki, and Kenzie along the way.

Tues., 4/2/24, Vikki came over with Rehvyn, I babysat him while she was at work, Bill and I went to get taxes done, Vikki came to get Rehvyn, I went to the bank and to Aldi, packed for trip

I got to babysit my sweet Rehvyn while Vikki went to work today.  He sure is a good baby

Evan when I stopped at their house

 I got ready and called Vikki to let her know we had to go get our taxes done.  She came over right after she dropped the kids off at school.  I was just finishing my hair, then visited with her.  She put the base to the car seat in my car, so we could take Rehvyn with us when we got our taxes done.  It is always quiet in there and we have our own little office to be in.  He stayed in his carseat by me while I signed stuff, then when he fussed a little, I got him out and held him.  He was good, till right at the end when he got fussy.  I smelled something, but had smelled the same thing when Vikki was at my house and it was gas.  Our house is only 10 minutes away, so as soon as I got in the house I checked and found out it was more than gas, so I changed him.  He was so happy right as soon as I laid him on the blanket.  He played with his toys on his toy mat for a while, then got hungry, so I gave him his bottle.  He sure was hungry.  Bill brought my phone in and it was Kenzie FaceTiming.  Revhyn was sure happy and smiled when he saw her.  I’m glad she saw how fun it is to FaceTime with him because he is alert and looks right at you and tries to make noises.  She had to go, so  I burped him, then held him for a while.  He was getting tired so I put on some music and put him in his little bed.  He fell asleep during the first song.  I ate lunch while he was sleeping He slept for almost an hour, then I held him more.  I told Vikki to go pick up the nail clippers she needed to get, before she picked Rehvyn up.  She thought that was a good idea too.  I had just got him up and changed him again when Vikki came.  She is such a good grammy and sure loves her boy.  She got the base out of my car for me.  She held him and played with him.   Kenzie FaceTimed again, and he was sure happy again.  He sure smiles lots and gets excited when he sees her and hears her voice.  Vikki fed him and he ate really good again.  She stayed and visited until it was time for her to pick up the kids. 

I ran into town to go to the bank, get gas, and stopped at Melissa’s.  Came home and started packing things for our trip.

Monday, 4/1/24, Kimmy and Adam came over,, Vikki, Peyton and Isaac came over, Melissa, Jack, Eli and Evan came over, McKenzie and Rehvyn came over, Melissa and I babysat Rehvyn for the first time,

Peyton sent me this picture of her with her Lauren Daegle blanket.  She’s her favorite singer

The flower arrangement Kenzie made for me looks cute on my table

Isaac

Jack

Evan and Rehvyn

Adam

Peyton

Kenzie and Badger

Eli and Rehvyn

El

Jack and 

Evan

Rehvan playing

Missy holding Rehvyn

Me holding Rehvyn

I got to feed Rehvyn his bottle when we babysat him

He fell asleep on my lap after he ate

Isaac and Rehvyb

Peyton holding Rehvyn

I borrowed this cute picture of Jacob and Abi from Kimmy

I got up at six and started the self clean mode of my oven.  I went back to bed.  It got a little smokey about an hour later.  I cooked the turkey in a turkey bag, but the leg put a hole in it and there was lots of grease spatters all over.  It takes 5 hours for the clean mode, so it still had two hours to go when I got up.  Kimmy and Adam got here.  We ate hard boiled eggs and visited.  We talked to Vikki and Melissa and they said they would come over soon.  Vikki, Peyton and Isaac got here next.  Vikki made herself a coffee, than sat with us and visited too.  At lunchtime, we got the food out and each warmed up a plate.  Melissa, Jack, Eli and Evan got here soon after that and warmed up plates too.  Kenzie brought Rehvyn and Mylie over, because she is going to Texas tomorrow.  She stayed for a while, but then left to go home and make glass to take with them tomorrow and to pack.  Kimmy had to take Adam home so he could go out to eat with Hope and her parents.  Vikki went with her.  They took Mylie to Kimmy’s too.  Melissa and I got to babysit Rehvyn for the first time.  We shared him quite nicely.  He was so cute and so sweet and such a good baby.  ‘

We all visited more and everybody took turns holding Rehvyn.  Eli, Peyton and Isaac were the kids that love holding him.  We ate some pie and the kids had kettle corn that Charlie gave us.  Melissa and I had some too.  

Bill took some things to the thrift store for me.  He also went to the VA to get some new strips for his blood sugar tester.  They ended up giving him a new tester since his was so outdated.  We all checked our blood sugar to see what it was.  We were all under the normal range except Vikki.  She was much lower than yesterday when she tested at home though.  She is doing amazing at watching what she eats and drinks.  I am so proud of her.

I went to pick up a prescription and then came home and washed some summer clothes to take to North Carolina with me.  Tonight and tomorrow I am getting things packed.  I get to watch Rehvyn for a few hours tomorrow while Vikki works.  

Bill and I relaxed in our love seat recliner.  It was another fun day with family!